Client: Albertina Museum
The publication was designed on the occasion of the exhibition at the ALBERTINA Museum, Vienna, presenting a cross-section of the oeuvre of Leiko Ikemura, featuring paintings, sculptures, and drawings.
Inspired by the poetically powerful works in which Ikemura unites Western and Eastern influences, the cover concept merges Japanese and European book traditions. The book features two cover images—front and back—each with a distinct emphasis: one foregrounds the artist’s name, the other the title.
The cover images show Ikemura’s sculptures, printed on linen to introduce material tension and visual depth—a contrast between the tactile surface and the sculptural forms. Colour, drawn from Ikemura’s works, subtly glows through the book’s gutter, creating an aura that echoes the fragility and mystery of human existence present in her art.
The English and German editions are distinguished by their different cover and chapter colours.
Published by Hatje Cantz VerlagEdited by Ralph Gleis, Elsy Lahner
