This year, the festival kicks off with a delightful book party. Grafixx’s own imprint Sporen presents new publications by Atsuko Ishii (JP) and Sarah Cheveau (BE), afterwards revealing the artworks in two accompanying exhibitions. Next up, Ria Schulpen (Bries, BE), Leif Low-Beer (CA) and Nino Bulling (DE) recommend some treasures from their bookshelves during the unmissable Book Club. Don’t forget to bring your notepad!

Atsuko Ishii — Personal Reality Show (2024)

Since 1995, Atsuko Ishii has been engraving numerous figures into copper plates, which she then lovingly prints in various colours on her Parisian etching press in both small and large formats. Using different motifs — ranging from couples in love to children at play — these are compiled into her first monograph, whose unique universe captivates from the very first page.

Sarah Cheveau — Charbonner (2024)

Charbonner means hard labour, digging together into the earth, but it also means darkening, covering up with charcoal. In this publication, Sarah Cheveau explores the many shades of black, layering them on top of each other. Her drawings show the depth of night, and by manifesting the darkness they also reveal the light of life.