By Lindi M. Harden, Communication Studies ’25, Spring 2025 Intern
Over the past several weeks, I’ve spent most of my time as an intern in Rare Books working with the Student Artist Books Collection, and it has quickly become a body of work to which I feel deeply connected. Because of the time I’ve spent engaging with these incredible pieces, I’ve chosen to center my post on this collection. Each book I’ve encountered has offered something unique, whether through its construction, material choice, or the personal narrative it contains. Together, they present a remarkable showcase of the artistic talent and emotional depth demonstrated by student creators at Ohio University.
Processing the Collection
Items in this collection are a combination of interactive art pieces that combine the talent of printmaking, techniques in bookbinding, or experimentations in various artistic mediums. Some items in the collection utilize a loose definition of what we might think of as a “book” and challenge the idea of what books should be contained within a library. This is exactly what makes this collection so special. Among the numerous stacks of traditionally bound books, the Mahn Center maintains a collection of over 1,000 student artist books representing the unique innovation of Ohio University students from 1971 to the present as required projects in Graphic Design classes such as Typography, Letterpress Printing, and Graphic Design Studio.
When I was first presented with the challenge of organizing this massive collection, I had no idea what to expect each time I opened a box. There could be a single item, or twenty or more, but I took this as an opportunity to explore the collection one by one to ensure each piece had the same level of care as the last. Although there was already a container list for these items, I quickly noticed that not all items were recorded, and some were missing titles, names, and credits to the work.
What is an Artist Book?
An artist’s book challenges what it means to be a book in the simplest sense. Similar to the average book, these items are meant to be touched and flipped through, but artist’s books take it a few steps further. These books are meant to be experienced. “What truly makes an artist’s book is the artist’s intent, and artists have used the book as inspiration in a myriad of ways and techniques, from traditional to the experimental” (Evenhaugen, 2012). Many of the books I’ve had the pleasure to catalog had more than one original copy; one or more copies to display, and one or more to be placed in public and interacted with.
Creative Expression and Vulnerability
These artist books are far more than just handmade objects; they are complex, layered expressions of individual identity, memory, and imagination. The variety of mediums used, everything from fabric, photography, and unconventional found materials, to more traditional paper and ink, demonstrates not only the technical skill and creative experimentation of the artists, but also the vulnerability and authenticity of their voices. The care with which these books are made is evident in every page turned, every texture felt, and every story told.
Right: My Heart on the Outside by Carli Mcgovern. Created in 2008 for Art 251 with instructor Mario Flores. Cover bound in leftover fabric from handmade quilt for author’s daughter.
Some items I’ve come across that challenged my perspective of what it means to be a book were items that challenged what it even meant to be art. One such example was a bag of used cigarettes with prose written on each burnt and disused piece. The artist chose this material to represent impermanence and to apply a deep personal connection to the idea of fragility.
What has moved me most throughout this experience is how deeply personal these works are. Many of the books I’ve handled confront profound themes. Some revisit cherished memories of lost loved ones, while others grapple with trauma, such as experiences of sexual violence or major medical events.
Slice by Kate Leeman. Created in 2006 for Art 392 with instructor Don Adleta. Cover is pink EVA foam sheet bound with a medical scalpel.
Each book is a window into a moment of someone’s life, often raw and unfiltered, inviting the reader to witness a deeply intimate experience. There is a sense of time embedded in these pieces, as though each one captures a fragment of the artist’s journey, either a moment they long to return to or one they’ve fought to move beyond.
Investigation of Self by Melanie Evans. Created in 2003 for Art 392D with instructor Don Adleta. Cyanotype printed on canvas. Photographs of Veronica Quallich.
Working with this collection has offered me more than just an appreciation for artistic skill; it has deepened my understanding of how art can serve as both a form of personal healing and a powerful means of communication. These books remind me of the resilience and creativity inherent in the human spirit. I feel incredibly honored and humbled to have had the opportunity to care for and engage with such meaningful, vulnerable, and imaginative work.
Sources
Evenhaugen, A. (2012, June 1). What is an artist’s book? https://blog.library.si.edu/blog/2012/06/01/what-is-an-artists-book/