Devan Shimoyama in front of two vibrant works in progress in his Pittsburgh studio, located on the Carnegie Mellon University campus. PHOTO: SUNNY LEERASANTHANAH/©2021 JASMIN HERNANDEZ
A new coffee table book out this week is We Are Here: Visionaries of Color
Transforming the Art World (Abrams) by Jasmin Hernandez, the founder of the closely followed art blog Gallery Gurls. Since 2012, Hernandez has featured the work of emerging artists, primarily Black artists and artists of color, before they were well-known within the mainstream. For We Are Here, Hernandez conducted 50 new studio visits with artists, including Firelei Báez, Tourmaline, Derek Fordjour, Genevieve Gaignard, Renee Cox, and more, as well as art workers like curators Naima J. Keith and Jasmine Wahi-many of whom had previously been featured on Gallery Gurls. The book includes stunning original photography and Q&As with each of the 50 subjects in a format that is accessible for people at all levels of comfort with the art world.
Firelei Báez in her Bronx studio, wearing an Akris jacket, surrounded by her epic art, all works in progress.PHOTO: SUNNY LEERASANTHANAH/©2021 JASMIN HERNANDEZ
