London Art Book Fair 2018
6-9 September 2018
Galleries 1 & 2, Free Entry
#LABF18
This September the Whitechapel Gallery is transformed by over 80 creative and cutting-edge publishers for four days. Indie titles from around the world sit alongside publishing giants at the London Art Book Fair 2018, with a vibrant mix of art books and magazines to explore and buy. The Fair sees the Gallery reimagined as a publishing school through a programme of events ranging from collaborative workshops, to happenings, performances and a family day.
Exhibitors vary greatly in scope and size, representing a diverse international cohort ranging from leading creative arts publisher Laurence King to contemporary fiction and long-form essay specialist Fitzcarraldo Editions, and contemporary art experts David Zwirner Books. Space is also devoted to a specially curated selection of 18 independent magazines by magCulture, the magazine specialists. The magCulture Quarter encourages browsing for fresh discoveries and will include indie stalwarts Real Review, an architecture/culture title, The Gourmand, a contemporary food and arts journal, and feminist culture magazine Ladybeard.
An expansive public programme sits alongside the exhibitors. There will be book signings from collaborators poet Maggie Jennings and artist Christina Niederberger; documentary photographer and filmmaker Chris Dorley-brown; and artist collective Studio SFCH; as well as book launches for new titles Faceless Artist NO. 11 with Josefine Lyche; Losing Ground (David O’Mara); and Paridise (ottoGraphic).
Pioneering founder of bookshop and art space X Marks the Bökship Eleanor Vonne Brown has curated a series of events reinventing the Gallery as the X Publishing School, replete with a lecture hall, common room, assembly hall, library and playground. As its curriculum, the School draws from Robert Filliou’s groundbreaking Teaching and Learning as Performing Arts (1970). The text explores innovative ideas around education practices and is based on the principles of the participation-led Fluxus movement of the 1960s and 70s. Together, artists and publishers explore models for collaboration in independent publishing, embracing the Fair as an opportunity for community-making and collective experimentation.
Highlights throughout the weekend include: a keynote lecture from curator Anders Kreuger (M HKA, Antwerp); workshops and seminars from print and publishing collectives Feminist Print Network and Copy Press Readers Union; and artist Sarah Carne leading a day of family-friendly activities. The Fair will also invite industry professionals to consider vital questions around the future of art book fairs, bringing together exhibitors and organisers to discuss distribution and self-organising at a special Publishers Assembly on Sunday.
Notes to Editors
About Whitechapel Gallery
For over a century the Whitechapel Gallery has premiered world class artists from modern masters such as Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko and Frida Kahlo to contemporaries such as Sophie Calle, Lucian Freud, Gilbert & George and Mark Wallinger. With beautiful galleries, exhibitions, artist commissions, collection displays, historic archives, education resources, inspiring art courses, dining room and bookshop, the Gallery is open all year round, so there is always something free to see. It is a touchstone for contemporary art internationally, plays a central role in London’s cultural landscape and is pivotal to the continued growth of the world’s most vibrant contemporary art quarter.
Opening times: Tuesday – Sunday, 11am – 6pm; Thursdays, 11am – 9pm
Whitechapel Gallery, 77 – 82 Whitechapel High Street, London E1 7QX
Nearest London Underground Stations: Aldgate East, Liverpool Street, Tower Gateway DLR
T + 44 (0) 20 7522 7888 | E info@whitechapelgallery.org | W whitechapelgallery.org
Whitechapel Gallery Press Information
For more information, interviews and images, contact:
Lucy Hawes, Senior Media Relations Manager
T +44 (0)20 7522 7871 | E lucyhawes@whitechapelgallery.org
Anna Wates, Media Relations Assistant
T + 44 (0)20 7539 3360 | E annawates@whitechapelgallery.org
Colette Downing
Communications Manager
E colettedowning@whitechapelgallery.org
T +44 (0)207 539 3315
For all other communications enquiries please contact:
E press@whitechapelgallery.org
T +44 (0)20 7522 7888
