We’ve curated an edit of coffee table books from galleries, reflecting on their ability to broaden perspective and challenge creativity.
The Library: Books on Galleries was originally featured in issue 46 of est magazine, Design Renaissance.
The Gallery Shop at Sydney Modern by Akin Atelier | Photography by Rory Gardiner

The Picasso Century
Didier Ottinger
The Picasso Century by Didier Ottinger delves into Pablo Picasso’s prolific career and artistic journey, drawing from the extensive collections of the Centre Pompidou and the Musée Picasso in Paris. Through a nuanced narrative, this book provides a comprehensive reflection of Picasso's development as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, showcasing the connections between his life, art and culture.

Bernd & Hilla Becher
Jeff L. Rosenheim
This monograph is the first comprehensive retrospective on Bernd and Hilla Becher, renowned for their iconic photographs of industrial architecture across Europe and North America. Their precise, sculptural approach to photography transformed these industrial forms into compelling visual objects. Featuring 150 of their quintessential images, this book captures the Bechers' unique collaboration and their lasting impact on the documentation of industrial landscapes.

Bark Ladies: Eleven Artists from Yirrkala
Myles Russell-Cook
This book by Myles Russell-Cook accompanies the exhibition Bark Ladies: Eleven Artists from Yirrkala, celebrating the remarkable works of Yolnu women artists from the Buku-Larrngay Mulka Centre in North-East Arnhem Land. Showcasing the National Gallery of Victoria’s extensive collection, the book highlights the significance, beauty and culture of Indigenous bark paintings.
Virgil Abloh. Nike. Icons
Virgil Abloh
Designed in collaboration with acclaimed London-based design studio Zak Group, ICONS delves into the late Virgil Abloh’s creative collaboration with Nike, exploring his deconstructive and re-imaginative approach to sneaker design. Featuring written essays by prominent contributors, ICONS cements Abloh's influence on fashion and design history while celebrating his innovative contributions to sneaker culture.

Jane Dickson in Times Square
Jane Dickson
Jane Dickson in Times Square presents a vibrant and raw portrayal of Times Square, New York City in the 1980s. Dickson depicts candid scenes of urban life on unconventional surfaces like sandpaper and Brillo pads, offering a textured, unique perspective. This volume features many of her works reproduced for the first time, highlighting Dickson’s dynamic exploration of New York City's iconic urban landscape.

Queer: Stories from the NGV Collection
Ted Gott, Angela Hesson, Myles Russell-cook, Meg Slater, Pip Wallis
Queer: Stories from the NGV Collection is a comprehensive volume that extends beyond an exhibition catalogue. Expanding on the themes of the NGV’s QUEER exhibition, this book delves into the queer narratives within the National Gallery of Victoria’s collection to provide critical insights into how these stories are represented through art.

Gabrielle Chanel: Fashion Manifesto
Miren Arzalluz
Gabrielle Chanel: Fashion Manifesto, published to accompany a landmark exhibition in Paris, reflects on the evolution of Chanel’s inimitable style. The book features specially commissioned photographs by Julien T. Hamon and rare archival material that highlight Chanel's designs, alongside essays by fashion historians that offering a deeper understanding of her influence on the fashion world.

Winslow Homer: Crosscurrents
Stephanie L. Herdrich & Sylvia Yount
Winslow Homer: Crosscurrents is a timely examination of the renowned artist's work, exploring his powerful portrayals of American life and how this art reflects themes of racial, political, and natural conflict throughout his career. This thought-provoking book offers a considered analysis of the complexities of his imagery, revealing the nuanced ways he engaged with and portrayed these critical issues.

Art = Discovering Infinite Connections
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Art = Discovering Infinite Connections in Art History is an innovative volume featuring over 800 artworks from The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MoMA). Unlike traditional art books organised by chronology or geography, this volume uses thematic keywords to explore connections across art history. Leveraging analytics from The Met’s Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, it offers distinctive and unconventional insights into visual culture.
The Gallery Shop at Sydney Modern by Akin Atelier | Photography by Rory Gardiner
The Gallery Shop at Sydney Modern by Akin Atelier | Photography by Rory Gardiner










