Children’s Books as Art
Curator Elisabeth Lortic and exhibiting artists Louise Marie Cumont, Stephen Guarnsscia, and Barbara Mauriello as they discuss the exhibition and their artwork.
A journey through works of artists whom childhood enchanted and who want to enchant children; the discovery of a creative sector abounding and lively yet little-known; a unique view of art books for children from reflection and the collection of the Association Les Trois Ourses.
Before books on art and children’s books, Artist Books are first objects, creations of media. They are the result of the overall work of an artist: artist, designer, architect, craftsman of the image in general, who decides to take the book as their medium for creation.
The children’s book artist uses the full potentiality: form, color, material, text, and images forming an indivisible and interdependent whole. These books are not designed to be read, they are not merely the support of a text: they are a complete creation. Designed primarily for children, they are real educational tools and allow the child a first entry into art. He manipulates, discovers forms, colors, and materials…. These books appeal to the child’s senses, imagination, and creativity. They are game books, toys, sculptures, material books. Some book-objects to imagine and dream…
