Bisa Butler: Portraits

by Erica Warren (Editor), Bisa Butler (Contributor), John Carter (Contributor)

A beautifully illustrated look at the work of one of today’s most exciting artists
 
Bisa Butler (b. 1973) is an American artist who creates arresting and psychologically nuanced portraits composed entirely of vibrantly colored and patterned fabrics that she cuts, layers, and stitches together. Often depicting scenes from African American life and history, Butler invites viewers to invest in the lives of the people she represents while simultaneously expanding art-historical narratives about American quiltmaking. Situating her interdisciplinary work within the broader history of textiles, photography, and contemporary art, contributions by a group of scholars—and entries by the artist herself—illuminate Butler’s approach to color, use of African-print fabrics, and wide-ranging sources of inspiration. Offering an in-depth exploration of one of America’s most innovative contemporary artists, this volume will serve as a primary resource that both introduces Butler’s work and establishes a scholarly foundation for future research.
 
Distributed for the Art Institute of Chicago
 
Exhibition
  Katonah Museum of Art, New York
(March 15–October 4, 2020)
 
Art Institute of Chicago
(November 14, 2020–September 6, 2021)

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Womens, African American

96 pages, Hardcover

Published December 8, 2020

Reviews

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review coming.

[Eric Salgado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an incredible compendium of the exhibit on display at the Art Institute of Chicago - the work is absolutely gorgeous and reading a few key essays as to Butler’s work and then getting deeper descriptions on the pieces was informative. It puts the visit to this exhibit in clearer context for me. Brilliant.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Retrospective of Butler’s 2021 exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago. Includes histories of other Black quilters, including the Gees Bend Quilters and Faith Ringgold. Expanded text about the portraits, both the originals (most are historical photographs) and Butler’s vivid interpretations. A great keepsake following a wonderful post-pandemic mini-vacation.

[Tara Thieleke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought the book for the gorgeous color plates and close ups, but I really enjoyed learning the specific backstory behind each individual source photograph, selected fabric, title, and each resulting quilted portrait. Also Butler’s fabulation is my favorite new creative concept.

[Marie Small · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing quilt artist. Almost Beyond Belief

[Shaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing artist!

[Nann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exhibit catalog with scholarly commentary.

[l · Rating 4 out of 5]

gorgeous. survivor is haunting.

[Rhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful treatsie on the body of work of Bisa Butler and delves into her influences and inspiration for her art and the individual works