‘A Kind of Library’
COLLECTION FOCUS
May 2023 -
Nov 2023
![Works by Jenny Holzer, installed at GOMA for ‘A Kind of Library’, May 2023 / Photograph: C Callistemon, QAGOMA](/system/files/styles/wide/private/2024-07/GOMA_AKindOfLibrary_installationview_20230512_ccallistemon_025.jpg?itok=TJaD1PO2)
I always imagined paradise to be a kind of library.
This quote, from Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges, is the point of departure for this selection of artworks, which share text as a common element.
Spanning a variety of media, and a wide range of fonts, scripts, languages and grammar, these works privilege the written word. Some explore narrative (or the disruption of it), visual poetry, expressions of confessional or instructional language, or slippages between word and meaning. Others look at the absence of the written word — what has been omitted, erased or redacted.
Emerging from Australian and international artists in the Collection with a shared literary sensibility and love of language, the display includes works that are playful and philosophical, inspirational and ironic, and provocative and heartfelt in tone. There is a certain cacophonous quality to the display with multiple voices, typefaces and registers all clamouring for attention.
Installed in the GOMA Foyer, ‘A Kind of Library’ explores the visual and conceptual potency of the written word, revealing what a rich vocabulary it offers for artists working in all media.
Feature image: Works by Jenny Holzer, installed at GOMA for ‘A Kind of Library’, May 2023 / © Jenny Holzer/Copyright Agency / Photograph: C Callistemon, QAGOMA
Collection artworks featured in ‘A Kind of Library’
![The artist Artwork Chatter this artwork made of Engraved gravoply, stainless steel screws, created in 2008-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2010.204_001_3.jpg?itok=dmPYZfzF)
Chatter 2008-09
- DANKO, Aleks - Creator
![© Jean Dupuy/Copyright Agency Artwork Ici (Here) this artwork made of Stone and ink on wood in glass-fronted box, created in 1990-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/1997.160_001.jpg?itok=U2pZyBFo)
Ici (Here) 1990
- DUPUY, Jean - Creator
![© Jean Dupuy/Copyright Agency Artwork Quoi? (What?) this artwork made of Stone and ink on wood in glass-fronted box, created in 1990-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/1997.161_001.jpg?itok=AdP-q7uy)
Quoi? (What?) 1990
- DUPUY, Jean - Creator
![© Jean Dupuy/Copyright Agency Artwork Dupuy this artwork made of Stone and ink on card on wood in glass-fronted box, created in 1990-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/1997.162_001.jpg?itok=AD75hZO6)
Dupuy 1990
- DUPUY, Jean - Creator
![© Jenny Holzer/Copyright Agency Artwork Torture is barbaric this artwork made of Screenprint on timber, created in 1991-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2010.316_001.jpg?itok=uAZD3BNN)
Torture is barbaric 1991
- HOLZER, Jenny - Creator
![© Estate of Ian Burn. Courtesy Milani Gallery, Meaanjin Artwork Value added landscape no. 10 this artwork made of Oil and enamel on masonite with perspex, created in 1993-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/1996.007_001_5.jpg?itok=1l9skg99)
Value added landscape no. 10 1993
- BURN, Ian - Artist
- SHAW, W.F. - Painter of landscape
![© Edward Ruscha Artwork Your space #1 this artwork made of Sugar lift flat bite and hard ground etching on Somerset Satin White paper, created in 2006-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2008.035_001_4.jpg?itok=av_E2VFR)
Your space #1 2006
- RUSCHA, Edward - Creator
![© Edward Ruscha Artwork Public market this artwork made of Sugar lift flat bite and hard ground etching on Somerset Satin White and Gampi paper chine collé, created in 2006-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2008.034_001_4.jpg?itok=F-N8MRvP)
Public market 2006
- RUSCHA, Edward - Creator
![© Richard Tipping Artwork Copyright this artwork made of Blue pearl granite and gold leaf, created in 1977-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/1994.295_001_5.jpg?itok=HG_uYgQt)
Copyright 1977-79
- TIPPING, Richard - Creator