Sarah Boris is an artist and designer whose practice spans printmaking, sculpture, painting, and bookmaking. Books play an important role in her work, often inspiring artworks such as a modular series of 104 pencil drawings to be exhibited this year in After the Rain. Her recent titles include Rainbow 1 & 2, The Graphic Theatre, and Global Warming Anyone?
Which three books would you recommend?
Exercises in StyleRaymond Queneau
It's the same story told 99 times in different ways. I find this work incredibly powerful as it tells us that there is not one way forward but many. It offers a great view and perspective on the endless possibilities. It's a true work of art. I am particularly interested in patterns and repetitions in a same subject. This book is foundational for me. Although it is text only, it feels painterly. It portrays a seemingly mundane scene making the ordinary, extraordinary and fascinating. This is what drives me in life and work. It shows that ways of doing do not have to be fixated and everything can be done in a multiplicity of ways. In this instance it shows how a story can be told differently so many times.
Never Trust A Skinny Italian Chef Massimo Bottura
Artists, designer, food lovers and chefs would love this book. Similarly to the previous book, I feel the writing talks as much of the process of creating than anything else. There is a recipe where Massimo Bottura talks about a smashed lemon tart and how the accidental crushed tart inspired the final dish. This reminds us how all the joyful steps to creating, even the accidental, unplanned ones can become the work itself. It's in the process of making that I find many new ideas rather than in the end result. I find cookery books hugely inspirational as the craft and care of cooking echoes many aspects of art and design.
In Loving Memory of Work Craig Oldham
I was lucky to attend one of the first launches at St Brides Library in London where the author Craig Oldham gave a talk and held an exhibition. This gave a particular detailed insight into the book. The book talks about the creativity and cultural practices of working class communities during the minors' strikes in 1984-85. The author has gathered many voices to contribute to the book but also created a typeface and in the first edition made a cover screenprinted with coal. Every detail in the book from the production to the content shows the commitment in recounting events. The book is now in its third edition and likely to sell out again so I recommend you get a copy.
What is your favourite bookstore or library?
I love Donlon books on Broadway market in London, Tender Books in central London and einBuch.haus in Berlin which has a focus on artist books and also exhibits artists who make books.