Image via Complex Original
Ever since the days the inventions of the TV, Kindle, and iPad came around, things haven't been looking good for bookstores or for real books. Some of todays artists, along with some of the greatest artists of all time, are working to repurpose these cherished objects. It's such a (pun intended) novel idea, right? From visually telling a story to appearing sculptural, books are the new paint (for some artists at least).
Enjoy Awesome Artworks Made From Books. It's shocking what artists can do with the books that used to be collecting dust on their shelves.
RELATED: Green Label - Paintings on Book Pages by Ekaterina Panikanova
"Sleeping Buddha" by Long-Bin Chen
Sleeping Buddha by Long-Bin Chen, 2003
Chen uses his magazines and books to create detailed busts and body parts, using them to make commentaries to big societal issues.
"Tractatus" by Robert The
Tractatus by Robert The, 2004
The simplicity of this cutout piece makes it that much more asthetically pleasing.
"Chemistry" by Thomas Allen
Chemistry by Thomas Allen, 2009
Allen uses vintage advertisements and books to create sculptures with clever double meanings.
"Library (Interest)" by Craig Paul Nowak
Library (Interest) by Craig Paul Nowak, 2007
This massive painting is done using a bookshelf full of book as it's creative canvas.
"Carousel" by Cara Barer
Carousel by Cara Barer, 2012
"I am attempting to blur the line between objects, sculpture, and photography"-Barer. This passionate photographer makes sculptures out of books and then photographs how she wants them to be seen.
"Proverbial Threads" by Robbin Ami Silverberg
Proverbial Threads by Robbin Ami Silverberg, 2007
What a novel idea! This artist creates spools of ribbon our of the pages of old books.
"Peacock" by Jacqueline Rush Lee
Peacock by Jacqueline Rush Lee, 2007
These sculptures are usually made with books, paper and paint. She says her inspiration is that the pages of these books have their own stories to tell.
image via
"Untitled, no. 13 of 34, from the illustrated book, Ode à l'oubli" by Louise Bourgeois
Untitled, no. 13 of 34, from the illustrated book, Ode à l'oubli by Louise Bourgeois, 2002
Bourgeois created a series of fabric collages that make books. the best part of this collection is that all of the textiles are very personal to her and were collected throughout her life, such as scraps of nightgowns, scarves, and hand towels.
"Tidal" by Kiki Smith
Tidal by Kiki Smith, 1998
This awesome book is made of beautiful photographs of 13 moons on the ocean.
"Vselenskaia Voina" by Aleksei Kruchenykh
Vselenskaia Voina by Aleksei Kruchenykh, 1916
Used these twelve collage illustrations in a book to discuss the absurdity of war in the midst of World War One.
"100 Books" by Hanne Darboven
100 Books by Hanne Darboven, 1970
This installation in MoMA uses books to make a metaphor for time with 100 books (each standing for a year) with 365 pages (for each day of the year even adjusting for leap years).
"Book" by Richard Artschwager
Book by Richard Artschwager, 1987
Even though this one isn't made out of a book, we included it because Artschwager was so great.
"Banco del Pensamiento" by Alvaro Tamarit
Banco del Pensamiento by Alvaro Tamarit, 2011
Translating to Bench of Thought, this bench made by Spanish artist Alvaro Tamarit is the perfect place to enjoy your book.
"Bath of Knowledge" by Vanessa Mancini
Bath of Knowledge by Vanessa Mancini, 2008
Literally be engulfed in your books with this bathtub made out of books.
"Spiraling Tower of Babel" by Marta Minujin
Spiraling Tower of Babel by Marta Minujin, 2011
This massive structure was created by the artist to celebrate Buenos Aires being named the 2011 World Book Capital, it is made of more than 30,000 books and has an incredible city view.
"Kraken" by Justin Rowe
Kraken by Justin Rowe, 2010
Rowe uses a pen, scalpel and tweezers to make these delicate book sculptures.
"Libraries of Health" and "Complete Antique" by Brian Dettmer
Libraries of Health and Complete Antique by Brian Dettmer, 2010
Dettmer may just be the most well known artists for transforming books into fine art. These two are just a sampling of the many pieces he has done. Check out his website here.
"Snow White in the Woods" by Su Blackwell
Snow White in the Woods by Su Blackwell, 2013
This awesome English artist brings stories to life by literally carving them out of a book! He is one of the leaders in the world of transforming old books and getting them attention again.
"What We Have Become" by Nicholas Galanin
What We Have Become by Nicholas Galanin, 2006
This Native American conceptual artist sculpted this face out of 1000 pages containing text from Under Mount Saint Elias, a book about the history of a Native American tribe from Alaska.
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"Literature Sausage (Literaturwurst) by Dieter Roth
Literature Sausage (Literaturwurst) by Dieter Roth, 1969
Roth made about 50 of these literary sausages, he even followed the proper recipe but substituted the minced meat for a minced book.
"Unhappy Readymade" by Marcel Duchamp
Unhappy Readymade by Marcel Duchamp, 1919
This readymade was actually created by Duchamp's sister, Suzanne, under his direction to hang a geometry book on her balcony. It was supposed to expose the problems and theorms to the elements so they could "get the facts of life."
"Errata Corrige " by Ekaterina Panikanova
Errata Corrige by Ekaterina Panikanova, 2012
Look out for this up and coming artist! Once people see her works that use a layout of books as a canvas, they don't stop talking about it. Read more about her here.
"Grand Larousse" by Guy Laramée
Grand Larousse by Guy Laramée, 2010
This awesome artist transforms piles of old books into various landscapes.
"Knoll Turntable" by Tom Sachs
"Knoll Turntable" by Tom Sachs, 1999
This is one of Sach's early works and its made of duct tape, phone books, and steel.
"Twentysix Gasoline Stations" by Ed Ruscha
Twentysix Gasoline Stations by Ed Ruscha, 1963
This awesome piece is one of the first books to actually be a piece of art too.
