WOMEN TO WATCH 2027: A Book Arts Revolution

Artists’ books emerged in the late nineteenth century as artists began transforming the printed book into beautiful and sometimes provocative works of art. Today, the field encompasses an expansive range of techniques and materials, often departing entirely from the conventional structure of the book.

A Book Arts Revolution explores the remarkable breadth of contemporary book arts through works that challenge traditional ideas of reading, viewing, and objecthood. Bringing together diverse artistic approaches, the exhibition highlights the medium’s unique ability to merge image, text, and form.

Marking 40 years of NMWA and 20 years of Women to Watch, the exhibition honors a medium that has held a meaningful place within the museum’s history since its founding while celebrating the continued innovation of women artists working in book form today.