Between Reading and Looking will explore the artist’s book as an experimental medium for ideas where material and conceptual approaches are part of narratives reflecting on history, cultural heritage, gender and language.
A public discussion will be convened by curator Welmoet Wartena to consider the role of women artists' books in contemporary practices and institutional collections, with Women to Watch nominated artists: Tamsin Green, Larissa Nowicki, Batool Showghi, Rachel Smith and Francisca Prieto.
The event will feature a show and share display of publications in Tate's collection. Tate Library is a centre of excellence for art historical research, with holdings of over half a million publications on British art since 1500, and international art since 1900, including 25,000 artists’ books, zines and photobooks.
Between Reading and Looking references American writer and curator Lucy Lippard, in her article ‘Surprises: An Anthological Introduction to Some Women Artists’ Books’ (Chrysalis, 1977) that explored new ways of reading and looking at women artists' books. By hosting the conversation alongside a display at Tate’s reading rooms, we can reflect on how women artists' publications, current and historical, contribute to new narratives, and on the role libraries and museums play in enabling these narratives to be discovered, studied, and reimagined.
Women to Watch is an international programme initiated by the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington DC, USA. It features women artists at pivotal stages of their career and in 2027 will focus on the theme of contemporary Book Art. Women to Watch UK nominations celebrate five UK based artists who work with the book as part of their artistic practice.
Tamsin Green
Tamsin Green is an artist whose practice combines walking, photography, writing and publishing. She publishes artist’s books and research through the imprint manual.editions and recently edited What Makes a Photobook Sustainable?, a publication and travelling reading room that probes ecological approaches to publishing through the collaborative practice of the Sustainable Photobook Publishing (SPP) network.
Larissa Nowicki
Larissa Nowicki’s critical-making practice spans art, design, craft and research. Exhibited internationally, including at Man & Eve Projects, she will represent the UK in NMWA’s Women to Watch 2027. An Albers Foundation resident, her work is held in its archive. She is represented by Jack Fischer Gallery, in San Francisco, California.
Francisca Prieto
Francisca Prieto’s conceptual practice explores and combines fragments of history with the architectural principles of space, line and structure. Exhibitions include Women to Watch UK: A Book Arts Revolution at Christie’s London and a solo exhibition at Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Chile. Her work is held in public collections including Tate, the British Library, Bodleian Libraries and the National Art Library at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Batool Showghi
Batool Showghi is a multidisciplinary artist. Her work is concerned with the experience of women and the way in which this experience relates to cultural and religious boundaries. Her work has been exhibited in the UK and internationally. Her artists’ books are held in public collections, including Tate and the British Library.
Rachel Smith
Rachel Smith is an artist who works across art and writing to produce visual poetry and artists’ books. She co-edits Intergraphia books, an artist publishing project with Emma Bolland. Recent exhibitions include It must work like a recording (fixed in the floor and the walls) at Wath Hall, Yorkshire. Her work is held in public collections at Tate, University College London, V&A (National Art Library), and The Henry Moore Institute Research Library.
Welmoet Wartena
Welmoet Wartena is a researcher, artist, designer and educator. Her practice focusses on a sense of place, written language and ecology. She is curator of the Women to Watch UK programme for the UK Friends of The National Museum of Women in the Arts, USA.
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