Paper Universe: The book as art showcases close to 100 rarely seen works from the State Library’s remarkable collection of over 700 artists’ books. Featuring striking and innovative creations by leading artists including Ed Ruscha, Judy Watson, Bill Henson, Nathalie Gautier-Hartog and more, the exhibition reveals how artists transform the idea of a book into works of art.

The exhibition will change throughout the show’s run as pages are turned to reveal more beautiful artworks. This is all part of the exhibition’s dynamism, as the layout of the gallery space is an artwork itself, with woven recycled MDF walls and washi paper dividers leading you through the show with curiosity. Ranging in size from just 5 centimetres to an astonishing 40 metres, and made from a range of materials and techniques, these works reveal intimate, moving and powerful stories beyond the written word.

Monday Daily’s Lorna chatted to the exhibition’s curator Maria Savvidis about how the exhibition came together.

Paper Universe is on now and runs until May 3rd at The State Library of NSW. Get involved with the concurrent workshops and talks.