Founded in 2019, Work in Progress.
Immaterial Books is an independent publisher of contemporary art and literature on photo media and its practice, based in Champaign, Illinois.
We are dedicated to publishing works that challenge the boundaries between image, text, and theory. We seek books that resist classification—projects that inhabit the space between visual culture, social theory, and experimental documentary. We publish works that are not only visually compelling but also intellectually rigorous as a medium of critical inquiry.
What draws us to a project is often a certain ambiguity. We look for works that are neither purely documentary nor purely aesthetic but instead inhabit the space between—a kind of quiet tension that invites re-viewing/reading. Design plays a central role in this: each book is approached as a unique object, with form emerging from the logic of the work itself rather than from a fixed house style.
We are also engaged with our local community. Immaterial Books, through its offshoot, the Immaterial Gallery, curates exhibitions, hosts launch events and readings, and supports new work through open calls and artist collaborations. Our programming fosters spaces for public encounters, critical conversations, and the discovery of emerging voices.