Historical information

GEOFFREY RICARDO (1964- )
Born Melbourne, Australia

Physical description

An ex libris bookplate featuring a kangaroo holding books in her pouch. This etching won the 5th Biennial Australian Bookplate Award in 2015. Judge Sasha Grishin said of the winning bookplate "Geoffrey Ricardo's bookplate marries the tradition of exquisite intaglio Ex Libris prints with a comic Australian subject matter that is distinctive, original and very memorable," Grishin says.

Bookplates are commonly designed by artists for book lovers to identify their ownership, and usually use personal iconography to represent the bookworm's life and interests. Ricardo's aquatint etching is different in that he made it for himself. Art critic and Australian National University professor Sasha Grishin​ was one of the judges of the $7500 prize. "Geoffrey Ricardo's bookplate marries the tradition of exquisite intaglio Ex Libris prints with a comic Australian subject matter that is distinctive, original and very memorable," Grishin says. ( http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/geoffrey-ricardos-kangaroo-etching-wins-australian-bookplate-design-award-20151208-gli6qy.html#ixzz42XzJ0AMH)

Subjects