Personal Empires

112pp, perfect bound, softcover, individually hand stamped cover, full colour.
500 copies, hand numbered and stamped, 100% recycled paper.
Publication date: 2006
Publisher: And Collective
ISBN: 978-0-9751962-1-9

Personal Empires is a book that explores the micro empires we construct around ourselves – our bedrooms, neighbourhoods, beliefs, friends, and enemies. Presenting the work of thirteen young artists working in various media, this project maps how people construct their own empires. Who and what do they choose to surround themselves with? What lifestyle choices do they make, and why? Unlike conventional maps – which are governed by the objective, using standardised scales and symbols to define landscapes and states – Personal Empires sees artists plot their own subjective, local, human experiences, using only their memories and personal histories as their compass. It offers readers a glimpse into these artists’ worlds – their homes, family photos, love letters, and stories.

Produced by And Collective – Marc Martin, Rik Lee, Justine Ellis and Dan Rule – Personal Empires showcases some of Australia’s most exciting young artists, illustrators, photographers and writers, including: Kat Macleod, Jonathon Chong, Meg Mundell, Amy Alexander, Amelie Scalercio, Toby Burke, Meg Courtney, Bridie Lunney and Ben Wilhelms.