‘book’ 1996
‘book’ is an exhibition piece first shown at Sunderland Arts and Libraries. It was commissioned for the “Visual Arts UK Initiative 1996″ by the City of Sunderland and the Arts Council of England. The piece was created in collaboration with Nissan UK and Smith’s Electrical Vehicles. The concept of ‘book’ celebrates the individuality and collectivism that contribute to the beauty, identity, and industry of The Art Studio. Photography is by Keith Pattison and Rob Sargent, while the selection of stories and artwork is by the artists of The Art Studio. The foreword is authored by Mark Little, who co-designed and co-edited ‘book’ alongside Derek Hill. For full information on ‘book’, visit https://www.derekhill.co.uk/work/item/book/?cat=84.
**Foreword by Mark Little**. ‘book’ was produced as a commission for the City of Sunderland Arts and Libraries as part of the Visual Arts UK Initiatives 1996. The Art Studio was established in 1986. Since then, it has become an internationally recognised resource for the production of art by individuals who have not followed traditional academic paths. It uniquely addresses issues surrounding mental health and representational practices. The Art Studio was founded as part of an initiative by the Artist’s Agency in Sunderland to provide facilities and a creative environment for those who had experienced long-term psychiatric care. Over the years, it has evolved far beyond its original mission. Under the guidance of Derek Hill, The Art Studio has become an extraordinary forum for discussing and developing high-quality artistic practice, free from the constraints of the conventional art establishment. Here, artists define what art is. Their work stands out for the remarkable commitment it requires. The art produced at The Art Studio is among the most vibrant and exciting being created today. Therefore, this book is not only a celebration of the tenth anniversary of The Art Studio; it also aims to capture something intangible—the experience of a diverse environment and the wonderfully affirming spirit that characterises it. ‘book’ is far from a conventional publication. It consists of an aluminium and stainless-steel box measuring 2.25 m x 1.25 m x 0.75 m, containing 16 aluminium sheets affixed to a series of aluminium runners that form each of the “pages”. Each page has been transferred to high-resolution colour density dura-clear film and attached directly to the metal. When fully opened, the ‘book’ extends to 10 metres in length. Mark Little, 1996 The Art Studio: https://www.derekhill.co.uk/work/item/the-art-studio/?cat=84 Collaborations: https://www.derekhill.co.uk/work/item/collaborations/?cat=84 Current paintings: https://www.derekhill.co.uk/work/cat/current-paintings/ Further information and book reviews: https://www.derekhill.co.uk/work/item/press-reviews/?cat=84
