Pandemic Days Artists Books from the National Art Archive
Mimi Tong Indoor landscape, outdoor room 2020, National Art Archive, Art Gallery of New South Wales © Mimi Tong
Carmen Glynn-Braun Unforeseen circumstances 2020, National Art Archive, Art Gallery of New South Wales © Carmen Glynn-Braun
Bernard Appassamy The flying nautilus 2020, National Art Archive, Art Gallery of New South Wales © Bernard Appassamy
Digby Webster Nice hair from Pandemic portfolio 2020, National Art Archive, Art Gallery of New South Wales © Digby Webster
Four Sydney-based artists reflect on their personal experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic
Pandemic Days Artists Books from the National Art Archive
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Naala Nura, our south building
Lower level 3, Library, archive and children’s art library
Free
In May 2020, the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ National Art Archive commissioned Sydney-based artists Bernard Appassamy, Carmen Glynn-Braun, Mimi Tong and Digby Webster to each create an artists book reflecting on their personal experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Art Gallery was closed at the time, and Sydney was in the midst of its first COVID lockdown. Time was slippery, and the usual routines that anchored the days were absent.
The four artists produced ‘books’ that vary in style, content and format. These works invite us to contemplate our individual and collective experiences during an extraordinary time in our shared contemporary history.
Alongside this display near the entrance to the library and archive are video interviews with each of the artists in which they discuss their work and practice.
The National Art Archive holds a rich collection of artists books, which can take many forms. Some relate to sketchbooks or diaries, others may be sculptural or conceptual. Many are conceived by artists using materials close at hand and are responsive to the particular circumstances in which they are made.