An excerpt from Alexis Pauline Gumbs’ book Primary: After and With Alma Thomas reveals her knack for intertwining marine life and Black feminist thought, as she explores the color fields of late painter Alma Thomas, seeing them as braids and heirlooms. In Femmephilia: Love Letters to Trans Mermaids, Queer Mothers, and Marilyn Monroe, Sophie Lewis challenges the rejection of femininity in contemporary feminism, reclaiming it as a liberatory force.

Gumbs’ work, as critic Eileen G’Sell notes, offers a tender and inclusive perspective, blending poetry and biography to theorize what grounds much of Black diasporic visual culture. Lewis similarly delves into the politics and erotic power of femme aesthetics, still sidelined in some feminist circles. Through these works, both artists expand the boundaries of art and critique, offering fresh, inclusive perspectives.

Other reads and reflections, such as Dana Mashoian Walrath’s The Book of Genocides, offer a stark look into historical patterns, while personal essays and book reviews bring a broader cultural context. The New York Art Book Fair returns, celebrating the rich tapestry of small presses and printmakers.

These books and articles, whether they delve into art, history, or personal narrative, offer a wealth of insight and reflection, challenging readers to rethink their perspectives and engage with the world in new ways.