About Us

The Library began ten years ago with the core team of Stewart Barstow (MA, Fine Art), Oliver Barstow (MA, Creative Writing) and Frances Andrew (MA, Design Curation).

We have collaborated on a number of public design projects for the heritage and cultural sector, including the conceptualisation, curation, design and installation of public art, heritage and educational exhibits. We also work with our clients to produce high-quality books detailing these projects, and our print work continues to be a strong feature of our portfolio.

Our experience in the South African context informs our work, and our processes are strongly influenced by locally available production resources, which both enrich our work and allow us to support local artists and artisans.

The Library is classified as an EME, making us Level 4 BEE compliant.

Some of our clients, partners & projects

• Anthropology, WITS 
• Clive van den Berg
• Fourthwall Books
• Freedom Park
• Hector Pieterson Museum
• Johannesburg Development Agency
• Liberty Properties
• Lilliesleaf Trust 
• Nelson Mandela Foundation
• Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa 
• The Platform for Public Deliberation
• The Public Intellectual Life Research Project
• The Trace Group
• The Trinity Sessions
• Wits Institute for Social Economic Research
• WITS University Press