Kobena Mercer Books

Jane Alexander is one of the most significant African contemporary artists working today. Her animal-human sculptures, photographs, and dramatic installations speak of lasting disfigurations in her native South Africa, yet raise issues about human nature that resonate with viewers internationally. Alexander's hybrid mutants inhabit a universe where boundaries between self and other, human and animal, are unstable, where shared foundations and clashing differences are disclosed, and where the grotesque and the familiar entwine. While the figures are, in many ways, emblems of monstrosity, they are oddly beautiful. Her creatures expose the human animal for all it is and all it could become. Not only are Alexander's artworks formally and technically accomplished, but they also deliver a potent emotional impact, sending warnings about historical consequences and hinting at things to come.

This book looks at the works of James VanDerZee, who "was the pre-eminent studio photographer of African-American life in the years between the two World Wars." - page 3.

This anthology brings together forty-two influential essays, many regarded as classics, providing a vital overview of contemporary lesbian and gay studies. It showcases the breadth and depth of current scholarship, featuring contributions from esteemed scholars such as Judith Butler, John D'Emilio, and Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick. The essays delve into diverse sexual, ethnic, racial, and socio-economic experiences, reflecting a wide range of disciplines including history, literature, cultural studies, and sociology. The collection addresses significant themes such as gender roles, feminist theory, AIDS, and the politics of representation, while also exploring figures and topics like Oscar Wilde, Gertrude Stein, and the hijras of India. It highlights the cultural construction of gender and sexuality, examining the impact of societal norms on individual identities and experiences. Additionally, the anthology includes an extensive bibliographical essay, serving as a valuable resource for further exploration in the field. The contributions reflect the most important English-language work in lesbian and gay studies, making it an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of sexual identity and cultural expression.