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An existing book doesn't always remain a book in its original form.
Contemporary artists have used discarded or second-hand books as physical surfaces for new artwork.
They may paint, draw, print, cut, or collage directly onto the existing pages.
This can create a conversation between the original literary object and the new artwork.
The British Museum's collection includes artists' books made from second-hand book fragments and works that combine existing texts with new imagery.
The original pages aren't simply discarded—they become part of the artwork's history.
A previously ordinary book can therefore acquire an entirely new artistic identity.
© British Museum