Writer IDEA continues its streak of long-awaited releases, following Nadie Lee Cohen’s Girls flipbooks and Dave Swindells’ Ibiza ‘89, with a brand new, super-visually energized ebook about American artistic powerhouse Richie Shazam. Entitled SHAZAM, this venture is a celebration of creativity, self-expression and the wonder in defying the binary.
Spanning 176 pages, SHAZAM brings the artistic’s creativeness, character and inventive evolution to life, bursting forth from the hardback covers that may hardly include them. As a feminine-presenting individual of shade, Shazam, a mannequin, photographer and author, has triumphed over quite a few challenges stemming from society’s obsession with labels and binary divisions. Regardless of being disowned by her organic household, Shazam’s story exemplifies the notion that life is about selecting and constructing your personal help system, surrounding your self with those that shield your vitality and respecting your most genuine self.
Described because the suitcase “it’s important to sit on to zip it up” and as “the whole lot you’ll ever want to move off to New York Metropolis and restart your life,” SHAZAM encapsulates Shazam’s artistic studio, the place she was in a position to create freely with out boundaries. The ebook additionally showcases her fascinating photographic work, collaborations along with her accomplice Ben Draghi and a charismatic illustration of her multi-dimensional artistic spirit.
Shazam acknowledges that the ebook could also be perceived as political, however she asserts that it is because of America’s penchant for opposition. In a press assertion, Shazam remarked, “The ebook launches getting ready to Delight and this yr Delight have to be a protest, given the draconian measures which were applied globally in opposition to queer people.”
She continues, “I would like the ebook to light up the great thing about household and neighborhood, significantly throughout these making an attempt and oppressive occasions when our rights are being stripped away and makes an attempt are being made to extinguish our spirits. The ebook is indispensable within the present local weather, serving as an outline of the queer utopia/dystopia: that is us, we’re right here and we’ll constantly keep ten steps forward. You have to discover your tribe, those that help and empower you to exist.”
The artist concludes, “That is me reclaiming my identification, taking again the ability of the lens and showcasing my ability for images, having the ability to inform all my tales. It’s nearly an F U to the powers past. Like, Ebony Journal used to do ‘Taste Of The Week’ — I’m at all times going to be the flavour in everybody’s mouth, each week. I can do something.”
The emotional journey doesn’t finish there, because the ebook opens with a poignant foreword by the beloved cult determine, Julia Fox. Fox begins by stating, “As I sit down to jot down this foreword, I can not assist however really feel a deep sense of delight in being given the chance to introduce you to Richie Shazam, though, let’s be actual, she wants no introduction. By way of this ebook, you’ll embark on a journey of self-discovery and transformation, witnessing firsthand the ability of dwelling free from the shackles of societal norms.”
Priced at $65 USD and restricted to 1,000 copies, SHAZAM by Richie Shazam launches on Might 19 at Dover Road Market New York as a part of Frieze New York Frieze.
