Mary Heilmann
Works on Paper 1973-2009

Designed for an artist with a deeply established career and numerous prior publications, Mary Heilmann: Works on Paper 1973-2009, offered an opportunity to shift focus toward a more intimate body of work. Edited by Alexis Lowry and published by Michaela Unterdörfer, the design approach emphasized materiality, detail, and the tactile presence of the works.

To echo the physical qualities of the pieces reproduced inside, we selected a richly textured cover stock that closely recalls the papers Heilmann uses. The cover becomes an extension of the content, inviting touch and setting the tone for a publication rooted in her texture and process. This tactile strategy carries through the book’s visual pacing, where macro photography highlights fibers, marks, and subtle material shifts, allowing the reader to experience the works at an almost physical proximity.

The typography was intentionally restrained to preserve the primacy of the artwork. The title is stamped directly into the cover, adding dimensionality and tactility while remaining quiet enough not to distract from the imagery. The typeface, Camelion, designed by Sandrine Nugue for Oh No Type Company, was selected for its subtle character and flexibility, complementing the organic nature of the work without imposing a rigid graphic voice. The final design positions the book not only as a document of Mary’s work, but as an object that reflects its material origins, crafted to be held, felt, and closely examined.