First published 2022
This debut monograph showcases the work of 29-year-old Bahamian artist Gio Swaby, who transforms fabric and thread into powerful portraits of Black women. Swaby employs embroidery, appliqué, and other textile methods to craft figurative works that explore Black womanhood through vibrant fabrics and detailed freehand stitching on canvas. The artist seeks to create spaces where Black women see themselves in moments of celebration, free from stereotypes and external expectations. Her intimate portraits redefine representations of Black bodies through personal, joyful imagery. The book presents 80 full-color works spanning 2017 to 2021, documenting Swaby's rise as a contemporary feminist artist. Multiple writers and scholars contribute essays examining her position within current Black artistic movements. Published alongside a traveling exhibition, this volume introduces readers to an emerging voice in textile art and portraiture who uses traditional craft techniques to address modern themes of identity, strength, and beauty.
Genres: art, feminism, biography-memoir, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: celebration, empowerment, representation
Setting: Bahamas
Period: 2017-2021
104 pages · Hardcover · Rizzoli Electa