Michael Wardell

The Recycled Library: The Altered Book in Australian Art

This paper is a ‘work-in-progress' inviting participation in the thinking process behind  the curatorial rationale for an Artspace Mackay touring exhibition, currently scheduled to open in May 2009. By investigating the genesis of the altered book and its practice in Australia, it will explore the iconic meaning of ‘the book' as well the conflicting notions of destruction and creativity. 

Michael Wardell has been Director of Artspace Mackay since September 2006. He was previously Curatorial Services Coordinator at the Art Gallery of New South Wales (1998 to 2006); Director of Michael Wardell Gallery (13 Verity Street) in Melbourne (1986-1997); curator of the Australian National Gallery in Canberra (1978-1986), and curator of the Monash University Gallery in Melbourne (1976-1978).

He has curated numerous exhibitions including Photography: The Last Ten Years, Australian National Gallery at Australian National University 1980, Iskustvo: Recent Soviet Paintings, Linden Gallery & 13 Verity Street (followed by a Regional tour) 1990, Ken Unsworth, (with Tony Bond) Art Gallery of New South Wales 1998, and Judith Wright: Breathe and other considerations, Artspace Mackay 2007. He has written numerous articles and catalogue essays including the chapter, ‘Ideas and Actions' in Contemporary: Art Gallery of New South Wales Contemporary Collection, Sydney 2006. He has lectured extensively throughout Australia.