Whether it’s visiting studio spaces, frequenting local galleries, bouncing between international art fairs or simply looking up and admiring a building, passion for art and design forms COOL HUNTING’s foundation. No matter where you are in the world, art is around. But to have art in your own home is truly a gift. We’re not all able to afford the pieces we covet, but books about our favorite genres, artists, designers, buildings, styles, or photographers are a way to surround ourselves with beauty. Further, the pages and pages of history and insight serve to educate and fuel our insatiable curiosity. With books spanning photography, architecture, design and more, this guide will have something for everybody.
A 71-person group book celebrating Pomegranate Press—a Richmond, Virginia-based independent publishing house for contemporary photography, writing and more—Nothing Left but Healing features a plethora of different pieces across its 150 pages. Within the smyth-sewn book are alluring portraits, microphotography, landscapes and more enchanting works.
From pink foam buildings to couches that resemble jester hats, off-kilter chairs made of resin and wobbly vases, beloved Italian architect, designer and artist Gaetano Pesce expanded the world of design over his 50-year career to include unexpected materials and political and social commentary. Vibrant and inventive, Out in the World With Gaetano Pesce compiles the 82-year-old pioneer’s iconic and never-before-seen work with an essay …
From artist and skateboarder Jeffrey Cheung—who runs There Skateboards, an offshoot of the SF-based collective Unity which represents and supports queer skaters—this “Colors” deck features his signature figurative art. Available in two sizes (8.25 or 8.5 inches), this skateboard has been made and designed with all types of skaters in mind.
Japanese glass artist Miwa Ito crafts bright, bulbous products that are delightfully off-kilter. Part of her MOO MOO exhibition in London, her Big Goofy 2 piece—like much of her work—is inspired by childhood memories of colorful cartoons and toys. It measures 20 by 18cm and has been entirely hand-finished and is signed by the artist. Price is in Pounds.
London-born photographer Nadine Ijewere, the first Black woman photographer to shoot a cover for Vogue, explores beauty (while subverting traditional notions surrounding it) in her enchanting monograph Our Own Selves. Dreamy backgrounds, compelling compositions and vibrant hues suffuse this collection of her work, attesting to the vivid ways Ijewere celebrates people of color and breaks barriers.
Brooklyn-based ceramicist Eleni Kontos crafts custom clay portraits in fun, off-kilter, cartoon styles. Each sculpture features a small hollow body (measuring around four to five inches in height), a detachable topper head and marbled colors the artist dyes herself. Altogether, it’s an endearing, personal gift for a loved one.
Available in grey, black or navy, this cotton/polyester blend sweatshirt proudly supports New York’s Brooklyn Museum. With classic collegiate lettering and traditional crewneck silhouette, the style is cozy and timeless. Sizes range from small to 2XL.
Renowned American artist Lorna Simpson collates and embellishes advertising photographs of Black women from vintage issues of Ebony and Jet magazines to place hair, gender and race in a different context. In the book Lorna Simpson Collages, 160 of these surprising and powerful artworks, layered with found photography and ink swirls, attest to Simpson’s distinct eye. With an introduction by poet, author and scholar Elizabeth Alexander …
LA-based artist Cali Thornhill Dewitt juxtaposes wordplay and photos by Koji Ueda and Yosuke Torii for bold and thought-provoking collages. For the zine Tokyo Olympics, Dewitt collaborated with Carhartt WIP to collate his clever works across 36 pages in color offset print.
These lovely playing cards feature elements of Kehinde Wiley’s 2012 piece “Dacia Carter II” (from his An Economy of Grace show that comprised portraits of women) on both sides. On the back, the beautifully lit portrait; on the face, the suits feature the glorious green and pink floral pattern from the painting’s backdrop. Net proceeds from sales of the cards will be donated to Black …
Including reproductions of Faith Ringgold’s artworks from 1967 to 1981, Faith Ringgold: Politics / Power traces the Black, Harlem-born painter, sculptor, quilt artist, writer, feminist, educator and activist’s remarkable career and evolution. With quotes on each artwork from Ringgold herself, as well as essays by Michele Wallace and Kirsten Weiss, the images are supported by plenty of context, providing even more information about race relations …
Available now in an exclusive edition of 45 on David Zwirner’s online gallery initiative, Platform, the “Fatebe Blast” (2022) screenprint finds Russia born, NYC-based artist Ebecho Muslimova’s comedic character rocketing toward the moon on her own gas supply. 25% of the proceeds from sales of the work will be donated to the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, which is currently directing aid toward civilians …
