Centre for Fine Print Research University of the West of England Centre for Fine Print Research
 

Tom Sowden

Past Research


Since 2005, Tom has been Art Editor for the Artist’s Book Yearbook and The Blue Notebook. He also curates the What’s in the Box? artist’s book project for the CFPR, which includes works by staff, postgraduate students and invited guests.

Grant title: What will be the canon for the artist’s book in the 21st Century?

Awarding body: Arts and Humanities Research Council
Awarded to: Bodman, Sarah
Researcher participants: Sowden, Tom
Project duration: 2008-2010
URL Links: www.bookarts.uwe
www.bookarts.uwe.ac.uk/canon.htm
www.ahrc.ac.uk

Project details:
In an arena that now includes both digital and traditionally produced artists’ books, what will constitute the concepts of artists’ publishing in the future?
Until early 2010 we are investigating and discussing issues concerning the history and future of the artist’s book. This research project intends to open a debate to an international community of artists, educators, researchers, students, presses, publishers, librarians, curators, dealers, collectors and anyone involved in the field. All presentations are archived online.

Artist’s Book Yearbook (ongoing)

The Artist’s Book Yearbook was established in 1994 by the contributing editors: Tanya Peixoto, John Bently, Stephanie Brown and Stefan Szczelkun and continues to be published on a bi-annual basis. The Yearbook serves as a resource for artists, lecturers, students, collectors and researchers. This bi-annual publication includes essays and information on many aspects of the book arts, artists' listings, information on book arts galleries, archives and collections, book arts courses, events, journals, bibliographies and reference publications, studios and websites, with book arts contributors from around the world. Since 2001, the Artist’s Book Yearbook has been edited by Sarah for Impact Press at the Centre for Fine Print Research.

The Blue Notebook: journal for artists' books

Launched in October 2006 as a peer-reviewed journal of essays and artworks on contemporary artists publishing. Published twice a year by Impact Press, UWE Bristol as a contemporary, artists’ books journal based in the UK, discussing and exploring worldwide, contemporary book arts practice.
The journal is published in two formats: an electronic colour version to be accessed at any time online, and a paper, black and white version: Print : ISSN 1751-1712 Online : ISSN 1751-1720
Subscription covers both formats at £10 GBP per annum - UK and international.

Bookmarks - Infiltrating the Library System Projects

Bookmarks was initially a one-year project, but so many artists continued to ask if they could join that we now run it on an annual basis. The Bookmarks projects series aim is to encourage appreciation of work in the format of the artist's book. Participating artists each hand-produce an edition of 100 signed and numbered bookmarks to give away through distribution boxes at venues around the world.
For archived pages of each project please visit the Bookmarks homepage at:
URL Links:www.bookarts.uwe.ac.uk/bookmark.htm