this book, chromotherapia: the feel-good color photography, offers genuine relief from the black-and-white world. often dismissed and not always taken seriously, color photography has nevertheless allowed artists to expand their palettes and “paint” through the lens. many have moved beyond the medium’s documentary associations to explore the shared roots of image and imagination, drawing inspiration from movements such as surrealism and pop art.

famed italian visual artist and curator maurizio cattelan and curator sam stourdzé offer a new reading of the history of color photography, tracing its evolution from the 20th century into the 21st through the work of more than 20 artists. together, these photographs lead viewers into vibrant, unexpected, and richly colored worlds. from sunny yellow and azure blue to bright red and bubbly orange, the book celebrates the expressive power of color through the lenses of some of the most influential names in photography.

photographers include: yevonde middleton, harold edgerton, erwin blumenfeld, walter chandoha, william wegman, hiro, guy bourdin, alex prager, juno calypso, adrienne raquel, miles aldridge, ouka leele, hassan hajjaj, ruth ossai, pierre et gilles, sandy skoglund, martin parr, arnold odermatt, maurizio cattelan, and pierpaolo ferrari.

a new york magazine 2021 holiday gift guide pick. a mother stitches a few lines of prayer into a bedcover for her son serving in the union army during the civil war. a formerly enslaved african american woman creates a quilt populated by biblical figures alongside celestial events. A quilted lady liberty, george washington and abraham lincoln mark the resignation of richard nixon. these are just a few of the diverse and sometimes hidden stories of the american experience told by quilts and bedcovers from the collection of the museum of fine arts, boston.

spanning more than 400 years, the 58 works of textile art in this book express the personal narratives of their makers and owners and connect to broader stories of global trade, immigration, industry, marginalization, and territorial and cultural expansion.

artists include: faith ringgold, sanford biggers, irene williams, bisa butler, harry tyler, harriet powers, marie d. webster, marguerite zorach, dorothy phillips haagensen, rachel cary george, florence peto, creola pettway, susan hoffman, molly upton, nancy crasco, agusta agustsson, edward larson, michael james, virginia jacobs and carla hemlock.

this compendium presents the rich diversity of themes, ideas, concepts, and emotions surrounding two fundamental and iconic figures of modern mexico: painter frida kahlo and her husband, muralist diego rivera.

more than 300 images from the archives of the museo frida kahlo in mexico city offer readers a glimpse into kahlo’s distinctive wardrobe, the impressive collections of popular and pre-hispanic art she assembled with rivera, her connection with photography, and the history of la casa azul, her beloved blue home that now serves as the museum’s main building. this volume invites readers into frida kahlo’s world, exploring the legacy of an essential figure in 20th-century art and culture, both in her native mexico and around the globe.

frida kahlo (1907–54) began painting at the age of 18 after being immobilized for several months following a bus crash that left her permanently disabled. from then on, art became a profound source of healing and a powerful means of self-expression and cultural exploration. at the center of kahlo’s practice was her deep connection to mexican folk traditions, her committed political beliefs, and her complex relationship with her body, gender, and sexuality. a lifelong activist, kahlo died of a pulmonary embolism after participating in a demonstration against the cia’s invasion of guatemala.

this striking volume presents a new body of work by american painter kehinde wiley, who is best known for his vibrant portraiture of black people that challenges the hierarchies and conventions of classical european and american portraiture. drawing inspiration from japanese nature paintings of the edo period (ca. 1600–1868), wiley parallels traditional techniques and materials in these monumental works. exposed linen in the background of the paintings highlights the natural elements of the scenes while preserving a delicate balance of untouched picture space. by recontextualizing the naturalist landscape genre from a non-western perspective, wiley opens new ways of thinking about humanity’s relationship with nature.

following the artist’s sixth solo exhibition at roberts projects in los angeles, this richly illustrated catalog includes commissioned essays that place wiley’s work within the historical context of japanese painting as well as contemporary black art. in wiley’s own words, “in this new turn, i’m trying to break open the conversation again toward what nature really means in the 21st century, in an era of widespread ecological disasters. our relationship with nature is increasingly in a perilous position. it invites a reinterpretation of not only an incredible opportunity to explore the vastness and the beauty of nature, but also the astonishing fragility and sadness that surrounds us, and lost opportunities.”

kehinde wiley (born 1977) was the first black artist to paint an official u.s. presidential portrait, created for former president barack obama. wiley has held solo exhibitions throughout the united states and internationally, and his work is included in the collections of more than 40 public institutions worldwide.

growing up in colorado with his father in the professional rodeo cowboy association, luke gilford spent his formative years around the rodeo, an american institution that has often been associated with conservatism and homophobia. it was only later, after discovering the international gay rodeo association (igra), that he began to see himself as part of a rodeo family. the igra is the organizing body for lgbtq+ cowboy and cowgirl communities in north america—a space created for people of all genders and races. the queer rodeo brings participants from rural regions across america together through educational programs and competitions, creating opportunities to develop athletic skills, build connections, care for animals, and foster personal integrity, confidence, and mutual support.

gilford has spent more than four years traveling across the country to document this diverse and evolving subculture. shot on medium-format film and printed in a traditional darkroom, the photographs are rich with detail, emotion, and color. the resulting images are both personal and poetic—revealing gilford’s deep connection to the community he portrays. national anthem celebrates outsiders, chosen families, and the extraordinary beauty found in communities built on belonging and acceptance.

this new edition features never-before-seen images and was released in conjunction with the feature film adaptation of national anthem, which premiered in theaters in july 2024.

luke gilford (born 1986) is a writer, director, and photographer from evergreen, colorado, currently based in los angeles and new york city. his photography and films have been exhibited internationally, including at Museum of Modern Art and Foam Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam. his work has been featured in publications including the new york times, vanity fair, and vogue, and is recognized for its distinct visual language and intimate relationship with its subjects.

quilts and color presents more than 60 graphically bold american quilts from the pilgrim/roy collection, one of the finest and largest quilt collections in the world. influenced by 20th-century art movements such as abstraction, op art, and the color field movement, paul pilgrim and gerald roy were among the first to appreciate quilts as more than simply decorative bedcovers, women’s fancy work, or symbols of a rustic past.

brilliantly reproduced and arranged through ideas based in color theory—vibrations, mixtures, gradations, harmonies, contrasts, variations, and optical illusions—each quilt in this book is celebrated as a unique work of art. the accompanying text also explores the social and cultural history of these quilts, as well as the practices and aspirations of their mostly anonymous makers, who created works of enduring beauty and striking visual impact.

quilts and color accompanies an exhibition at the museum of fine arts, boston.

shelby lee adams first encountered the communities of the appalachian mountains as a child while accompanying his doctor uncle on his rounds. in the mid-1970s, he began photographing in the region using a 4 x 5 camera, earning the trust of its often impoverished residents, who have not always welcomed outside documentarians. adams not only records their lives and hardships with great empathy, but also captures the grace and humanity of his subjects, photographing them with an ease that is evident in the results. salt and truth is adams' fourth monograph and presents 80 new photographs, most of which were taken over the past eight years. the collection features children and animals, working people, and a way of life rarely seen through the lens of photographers.

shelby lee adams (born 1950) is an american photographer renowned for his environmental portraiture, primarily in the appalachian mountains of eastern kentucky. his work has been featured in three previous monographs: appalachian portraits (1993), appalachian legacy (1998), and appalachian lives (2003). in 2010, he was awarded a guggenheim fellowship. his photographs are held in major permanent collections, including the art institute of chicago; the international center of photography, new york; musée de l'elysée, lausanne; the museum of modern art, new york; the national gallery of canada, ottawa; the stedelijk museum, amsterdam; the time life collection, new york; the victoria and albert museum, london; and the whitney museum of american art, new york. adams was also the subject of jennifer baichwal's 2002 documentary film, the true meaning of pictures: shelby lee adams' appalachia.

in the spring of 1865, a seemingly unremarkable dishcloth played a crucial role in ending the civil war as the south's flag of surrender at appomattox. a confederate horseman carried a humble white linen towel into the lines of general george custer near the courthouse at appomattox. the horseman was sent on behalf of general robert e. lee, requesting a suspension of hostilities while general ulysses s. grant proposed terms of surrender.

focusing on this confederate flag of truce, afro-caribbean american artist (and amherst college professor) sonya clark (born 1967) explores the legacy of symbols and challenges the power of propaganda, erasures, and omissions through her work. by transforming the truce flag—a cloth that brokered peace and represented the promise of reconciliation—into a monumental alternative to the infamous confederate battle flag and its enduring divisiveness, clark reverses the narrative and seeks to correct a historical imbalance.

published with tate.

in the period of radical change that was 1963–83, young black artists at the beginning of their careers confronted difficult questions about art, politics, and racial identity. how could they make art that was innovative, original, and formally and materially complex while also reflecting their concerns and experiences as black americans? soul of a nation surveys this crucial period in american art history, bringing to light previously neglected histories of 20th-century black artists, including sam gilliam, melvin edwards, jack whitten, william t. williams, howardina pindell, romare bearden, david hammons, barkley l. hendricks, senga nengudi, noah purifoy, faith ringgold, betye saar, charles white, and frank bowling.

the book features substantial essays by mark godfrey and zoe whitley, focusing on abstraction and figuration, respectively. it also explores the art-historical and social contexts of the era, with topics ranging from black feminism, africobra, and other artist-run groups to the role of museums in the debates of the period and visual art's relationship to the black arts movement. more than 170 artworks by these and many other artists are reproduced in full color.

2017 marked the 50th anniversary of the first use of the term "black power" by student activist stokely carmichael, as well as 50 years since the u.s. supreme court overturned the prohibition of interracial marriage. at this pivotal moment in the reassessment of african american art history, soul of a nation stands as a vital contribution to this important subject.

groundbreaking british youth culture and style magazine the face established the careers of generations of photographers, journalists, designers, and models. founded in 1980 in london by english journalist nick logan, it is known for its distinctive, radical, and of-the-minute design and its unflinching attitude. the magazine originally focused on music but branched into fashion and culture more widely, as well as encompassing political and social commentary. initially running from 1980 to 2004, its strong inclusive stance, bold design, and experimental approaches to photography still feel fresh and relevant today. in 2019, the magazine was relaunched for a new generation while staying true to logan's original vision.

this volume celebrates the ongoing legacy of the face in british art, design, and culture through some of the most iconic portraits from the magazine's first 25 years. it showcases striking portraits taken by the likes of miles aldridge, elaine constantine, corinne day, david lachapelle, and juergen teller. the photographs feature iconic figures including kate moss, annie lennox, kurt cobain, iggy pop, snoop dogg, david bowie, ewan mcgregor, madness, the clash, and kylie minogue. the book also includes selected covers and spreads from the original print magazine, complemented by words from key contributors to the original magazine.

published to accompany the eponymous exhibition at the national portrait gallery in london, this volume is a critical tool for understanding the astounding influence of the face on style photography, as well as the magazine's enduring impact on visual culture in britain and beyond.

published as part of four corners' acclaimed familiars series, providing a fresh look at the tradition of the illustrated novel, this is a stunning artist's book edition of treasure island, robert louis stevenson's colonial-era adventure story, illustrated by multidisciplinary mauritian artist shiraz bayjoo.

bayjoo's images take us from the ports of england to landscapes scarred by plantations and mines; from the brutality of the 18th-century colonial caribbean to the indian ocean; and to wider global histories of slavery, colonialism, and violence that shaped that period. designed by award-winning designer john morgan, this beautiful clothbound volume is printed on uncoated paper with color images throughout.

"shiraz bayjoo has created a thrilling visual interpretation of treasure island that sets stevenson's story within the context of 18th-century atlantic trade and colonial power. the result is timely, urgent, and strikingly beautiful." –ekow eshun

over the course of the 20th century, photography evolved as an art form while serving as an eyewitness to social, cultural, and political change. this book presents more than 80 significant images—many from unique vintage prints—that came to define their times, and invites us to take a fresh look at celebrated photographs by such masters of the medium as berenice abbott, margaret bourke-white, robert capa, henri cartier-bresson, walker evans, robert frank, consuelo kanaga, dorothea lange, gordon parks, and edward steichen.

drawing on the unparalleled howard greenberg collection—446 photographs recently acquired by the museum of fine arts, boston—viewpoints brings to vivid life the transformative power of photography and invites the reader into a collection assembled with a connoisseur's eye by a former photographer who is also a gallery dealer and a strong advocate for artists.

published with art gallery of ontario.

thoughtfully illustrated, this volume highlights a selection of photographs of african american family life between the 1970s and the early 2000s—pictures that were lost by their original owners and then found by the artist zun lee on a street in detroit in 2012, marking the beginning of the fade resistance collection of more than 4,000 polaroids. lee describes the collection as an important record of black visual self-representation and a means to "reflect the way black people saw themselves on their terms—without the intention of being seen, or judged, by others." to lee, these powerful photographs are an expression of "black life mattering."

these vivid images chronicle milestones such as weddings, birthdays, and graduations, as well as quiet daily moments, offering contemporary views long ignored or erased by mainstream culture. together, these works highlight the role snapshots have played in black life, as tools to challenge stereotypical portrayals and as a means to memorialize family, culture, and heritage.

topics such as self-representation, visual history, and the social power of photographs are addressed in critical texts by sophie hackett, stefano harney, zun lee, and fred moten, along with an original contribution by celebrated poet dawn lundy martin.

published with modern art museum of fort worth.

a thematic exploration of nearly 50 female artists who choose women as subject matter in their works, women painting women includes nearly 50 portraits that span the 1960s to the present. international in scope, the book recognizes female perspectives that have been underrepresented in the history of postwar figuration. painting is the focus, as traditionally it has been a privileged medium for portraiture, particularly for white male artists. the artists here use painting and women as subject matter and as vehicles for change. they range from early trailblazers such as emma amos and alice neel to emerging artists such as jordan casteel, somaya critchlow, and apolonia sokol. all place women—their bodies, gestures, and individuality—at the forefront.

the pivotal narrative in women painting women is how the artists included use the conventional portrait of a woman as a catalyst to tell another story outside of male interpretations of the female body. they conceive new ways to activate and elaborate on the portrayal of women by exploring themes of the body, nature personified, selfhood, and color as portrait. replete with complexities, realness, abjection, beauty, complications, everydayness, and joy, the portraits in this volume make way for women artists to share the stage with their male counterparts in defining the image of woman and how it has evolved.

artists include: rita ackermann, njideka akunyili crosby, emma amos, maría berrío, louise bonnet, lisa brice, joan brown, jordan casteel, somaya critchlow, kim dingle, marlene dumas, celeste dupuy-spencer, nicole eisenman, tracey emin, natalie frank, hope gangloff, eunice golden, jenna gribbon, alex heilbron, ania hobson, luchita hurtado, chantal joffe, hayv kahraman, maria lassnig, christiane lyons, danielle mckinney, marilyn minter, alice neel, elizabeth peyton, paula rego, faith ringgold, deborah roberts, susan rothenberg, jenny saville, dana schutz, joan semmel, amy sherald, lorna simpson, arpita singh, sylvia sleigh, apolonia sokol, may stevens, claire tabouret, mickalene thomas, nicola tyson, and lisa yuskavage.

the bell jar by sylvia plath follows esther greenwood, a brilliant young woman whose dream internship in new york is overshadowed by an increasing sense of isolation and disconnection. sylvia plath's only novel is a powerful exploration of identity, ambition, mental health, and the complexities of womanhood that remains as relevant today as when it was first published.