Perceptual Drift: Black Art and an Ethics of Looking

Perceptual Drift: Black Art and an Ethics of Looking is a groundbreaking book that offers a fresh and innovative perspective on the study of Black art. Written by leading Black scholars, this book challenges the traditional boundaries of art history and aims to shed light on the historical and contemporary status of Black lives. The authors employ materialist approaches to examine four key works of Black art from the esteemed Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.

The opening essay by Key Jo Lee introduces the concept of "perceptual drift," a thought-provoking exploration of Blackness as matter in art and scholarship. Through this interpretive model, the book aims to transform how art history is written, providing readers with a deeper understanding of complex objects and theoretical frameworks.

Each chapter delves into the analysis of a specific artwork, offering unique insights and untold histories. Christina Sharpe examines Jack Whitten's Rho I (1977), while Lee explores Lorna Simpson's Cure/Heal (1992). Robin Coste Lewis analyzes Ellen Gallagher's Bouffant Pride (2003), and Erica Moiah James considers Simone Leigh's Las Meninas (2019). By exploring these diverse artworks, Perceptual Drift celebrates Black art while opening new entry points for readers to engage with.

Don't miss out on this extraordinary book that challenges the limits of traditional art history and illuminates the rich and complex narratives of Black art. Order your copy of Perceptual Drift: Black Art and an Ethics of Looking today and be part of the transformative discourse on Blackness in art.

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