Magellan

Back in 2019, Liverpool Book Art was excited to announce its fourth major exhibition of Book Art. We had selected a significant anniversary in world history as the theme for our next exhibition.

2020 marked 500 years since Ferdinand Magellan discovered the passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, at the southern tip of South America, now known as the Strait of Magellan. All previous expeditions from western Europe to the ‘Spice Islands’ (Maluku Islands, now part of Indonesia) had travelled eastwards, sailing around Africa. Magellan’s expedition was the first to circumnavigate the entire globe, and it was Magellan who named the Pacific Ocean (the ‘peaceful sea’). So Magellan’s expedition was the beginning of our understanding of the overall geography of the Earth, as well as being hugely significant for the development of global trade. It was not until the late 19th century that alternative routes were considered, by attempting to build a Panama canal. The expedition set sail from Spain in September 1519, and the one surviving ship returned to Spain in September 1522.

When COVID hit us all in early 2020, we had already completed our selection of participating artists, and discussions with exhibition venues were at an advanced stage. Hopes for rescheduling later in 2020 – 2021 were dashed. Despite the ending of most COVID rules in England in July 2021, discussions with venues regarding exhibiting in 2022 have been very difficult, and it has proved impossible to secure satisfactory venues for a physical exhibition within the (3-year!) anniversary of the voyage.

Artists responded with enthusiasm, creativity and imagination to the call for participants. Submissions were received from Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and Canada as well as the UK (the latter including artists born in USA and Russia). The range of ideas and perspectives has been terrific, as you will see. Before and during our extended disruption, several artists completed their works; others developed concepts, ideas and sketches. The range is illustrated by ‘This Westward’, Roy Willingham’s book, which has already been purchased by the Bodleian Library, Oxford, to The Iberian Endeavour, which artist Linda Parr describes as “the best book I never made”. These all form part of this exhibition, combining images, artists’ statements and some videos; descriptions of materials and processes; editions and whether works are for sale.

Here is a selection of images of works in the exhibition. Scroll down this page for comprehensive individual Artist submissions, including descriptions of their work, more images, artists’ statements and contact details.