Do you have a favored lipstick color? Do you use it regularly, or have you chosen to forgo it altogether? Art critic Eileen G’Sell is eager to explore these questions in her upcoming analysis of the ancient makeup’s role in today’s society. This study is just one of the numerous art and visual culture books catching our attention this year. Ann Patchett’s ‘Whistler,’ set for a summer release, begins with a scene at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Additionally, a new embroidery atlas highlights the resilience of an art form often overlooked in historical narratives. Personally, I’m eager to discover what awaits in a book about the new Frida Kahlo museum in Mexico City, rumored to include postcards and a doll collection. What’s on your reading list for 2026?
It’s clear that 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year for art literature, a category we interpret broadly and innovatively. Editor-in-Chief Hakim Bishara is looking forward to the Venice Biennale catalog, curated by critic Siddhartha Mitter, which may capture the late Koyo Kouoh’s curatorial insight. Meanwhile, Senior Editor Valentina Di Liscia is interested in a book addressing Mexican state theft and the repatriation of cultural artifacts. Reviews Editor Natalie Haddad is anticipating Sara Ahmed’s next release, and Associate Editor Lisa Yin Zhang is waiting for a new collection of dialogues between Black curators, edited by Kellie Jones and Tumelo Mosaka.
Now is the time to secure your pre-orders and library reservations, art enthusiasts!
