Our editors and contributors select their top art books of this year, featuring Pacita Abad, Nan Goldin, Marina Abramovic, Wendy Red Star, and more.
Books
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Religion’s Understated Influence on Modern Art
Erika Doss’s new book Spiritual Moderns retells the story of modern art with a more honest look at how religion shaped it.
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Hyperallergic’s Art Book Gift Guide
Kerry James Marshall and Simone Leigh monographs, a visual compendium of Russian-Soviet dachas, the story of a prolific art thief, and more. Hyperallergic readers can take 10% off all titles with discount code HYPERHOLIDAYS23.
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An Entire Life Told in Museum Wall Labels
Christine Coulson’s sophomore novel One Woman Show explores the formal constraints — and narrative possibilities — of the museum wall label.
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10 Art Books to Add to Your Shelf This December
Sonya Clark’s latest catalogue, the case for decolonizing drag, Coco Fusco speaks truth to power, a memoir of Brooklyn’s underground performance scene, and more.
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Carmen Selam’s Debut Comic Is Self-Love Medicine
In the limited-edition risograph comic Rezbians, Selam shares a solution for the scarcity of queer Indigenous representation in pop culture.
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A History of Bookmaking, From Scrolls to Scrolling
The Book by Design is a real page-turner for people interested in how we came to turn pages.
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A History of Cats in Indian Art
In his final book, art historian B.N. Goswamy sketches a portrait of the Indian cat, drawing on Hindu, Buddhist, and Muslim fables.
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The Fairytale Charm of Soviet Country Dachas
Fyodor Savintsev’s photographs of the small wooden cottages capture the aesthetics and ethos of “a slower, more traditional pace of life.”
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Jay DeFeo Put a Lens Up to the World
Recently discovered work demonstrates DeFeo’s status as a major contemporary photographer.
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The Legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois for Young Readers
The New Brownies’ Book promises to provide an experience any child can enjoy, but one designed especially for those of color.
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Ben Caldwell, an LA Renaissance Man, Gets His Due
KAOS Theory: The Afrokosmic Ark of Ben Caldwell takes readers on a vibrant tour through the life of the filmmaker, activist, and transmedia futurist.
