Beautiful/Ugly

“Beautiful/Ugly is a theoretically sophisticated, enormously insightful, and refreshing read of the politics of aesthetics and the aesthetics of politics, terrifically well illustrated and beautifully arranged and designed.”—David Theo Goldberg, author of The Racial State
“Finally, a book that explores African and African diasporic concepts of aesthetics with depth and theoretical sophistication. A marvelous collection of well thought-out and finely crafted essays by a diverse group of scholars, artists, and other practitioners on concepts of beauty and ugliness as they relate to artistic and aesthetic practices in Africa and its diaspora. An important reference book and a must read for the specialist and the general public alike.”—Salah M. Hassan, Director, Africana Studies and Research Center, Cornell University
“Beautiful/Ugly is another fine book on contemporary African art from Duke University Press. . . .” -- Michael R. Mosher * Leonardo Reviews *
“Beautiful/Ugly is indeed another necessary exploration into the ‘slippery’ area of emerging international public spaces that are consumed, and understood, locally. For those looking for more about the density and proliferation of African aesthetics, art forms, and creative expression, this volume of essays will prove to be a satisfying foray into that familiar space.” -- Solimar Otero * International Journal of African Historical Studies *
“[Beautiful/Ugly] is stunningly laid out, and its chapters are color-coded, with more than one hundred color images. The essays, which by and large make for interesting reading, suggest parallels to the work of the ‘new wave’ of academic and nonfiction creative writing of the journalist and writer Binyavanga Wainaina, the cultural scholar Joyce Nyairo, and others.” -- Sean Jacobs * Africa Today *
“The visual and narrative elements of the book would appeal to wider audiences, especially artists, writers, and college students seeking a broader global perspective and information on contemporary African artists.” -- Megan Macken * ARLIS/NA Reviews *
“This is a beautiful book – that is, the production values given to the publication by Duke University Press and no doubt supported by the Prince Claus Fund are wonderful, beautiful even. The essays are supported by the kind of colour reproduction that it is rare to find even in the museum catalogues of blockbuster exhibitions. The essays are even colour highlighted, and there is an over all feel to the book of sumptuous quality. . . . Beautiful/Ugly is both a timely book and a book of its time. . . . [T]he book is a valuable resource, and one that if read carefully certainly enhances ways of thinking through some African relations to beauty in the world – savages notwithstanding.” -- Will Lea * Leeds African Studies Bulletin *
”Beautiful/Ugly is a remarkable and timely book. Its highly visual and evocative narrative will appeal to a wide audience of academics, students, and artists seeking to understand the place of African art and its aesthetics in a global perspective.” -- Mattia Fumanti * African Affairs *