The Library Book
Published on 19 August 2019
During his Artsbox residency last year, artist Ben Davis spent time at Footscray Library, observing the subtle ways people engage with the world.
A man lounging on a bean bag reading the paper, kids playing chess in the courtyard, a group knitting scarves and beanies… these are just some of the things Ben observed during the time he spent at Footscray Library last year.
An artist who creates drawings that zero in on the ordinary rumblings of everyday life, Ben attempts to find joy, sadness, humour and humanity in these tiny moments that pass us all by.
In 2018, Ben undertook an eight week residency in Artsbox, a vibrant, intimate and creative space located outside Footscray Library that is a dedicated space for artists to create new work, test and explore ideas, and develop their arts practice.
During this time, Ben embedded himself within the bustling library in order to explore the subtle ways we engage with the world to produce some thoughtful drawings.
“I’d spend the mornings and sometimes afternoons sketching in the library, using mostly pen and ink. Knowing that I could take my time to draw and observe meant I felt free to organically follow whatever track the people of the library took me down that particular day,” Ben said.
The result of his residency is The Library Book – a book that brings Ben’s illustrations and his musings on life in and around the popular and well-loved space together.
The illustrations capture the vibrancy of Footscray Library, and show it being a meeting place for regular groups, a reading space, somewhere to study or dig into the past, a place for fun, a place to play games in the dappled light of the courtyard, or simply, a place for reflection.
The Library Book captures beautifully and visually the many ways the community engages with the multifaceted facility, and shows that the way the library is used is as varied as the community we share.
“During my residency, I came to recognise the regular library goers who often visited daily to read the newspaper, use the internet or study for exams and I started to understand just how integral the library is in its support of the community,” Ben continued.
The Library Book launch
Ben will launch The Library Book at an event at Footscray Library on Wednesday 4 September from 3pm. Come along for some afternoon tea and to hear a few words from Ben about his arts practice and how his illustrations come together.
More info
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