Overview

Artist, activist, and influencer Laetitia Ky, known for sculpting her own hair to create powerful and joyful artwork that embraces the beauty of Black hair and style, the fight for social justice, and the journey toward self-love, tells her personal story that fans have been waiting for, through words and photos. Laetitia Ky is a self-described polyvalent artist and a one-of-a-kind creative voice-an up-and-coming model, activist, fashion designer, and visual artist, as well as a hugely popular Instagram and TikTok influencer. Ky uses her own hair (with the help of some extensions, wool, wire, and thread) to make unique and compelling sculptures that celebrate her African heritage, the beauty of Black natural hair, and the power of activism. Love and Justice is Ky's first book, showcasing 125 remarkable photographs interwoven with stories about her Ivory Coast childhood, her strong family ties, her embrace of her African roots, her own journey toward self-love, and her desire to lift up other women-especially Black women. As a passionate advocate for social justice, Ky shines a light on the pressing issues of our time: gender and racial oppression, harmful beauty standards, shame and its corrosive effect on mental health, and more. Part memoir, part art book, part feminist manifesto, Love and Justice is joyful and life-affirming: Ky's striking words and images honestly celebrate women's sexuality and the female body, and call for women's empowerment-extending a generous invitation for us all to love ourselves and to work toward a more just world.

Full Product Details

9781648960529

Table of Contents

Reviews

"""""After following Laetitia Ky on Instagram for many years, it is thrilling to be able to see her photographs in print. It's even more satisfying to learn about her point of view through the personal stories and political beliefs that inspire her at times playful and poignant images. Ky's work is moving and bold."" - EMILY RATAJKOWSKI, author of My Body, "" """"Artist, activist and influencer Ky is known for sculpting her own hair to create powerful and joyful artwork that embraces the beauty of Black hair and style. In her first book she showcases 125 photographs of her creations, interwoven with stories about her Ivory Coast childhood and more."" - The Bookseller (UK), "" """"There is no subject that Laetitia Ky can't address in her art with openness and insightfulness. What she creates with her hair and body brings beauty to the universal freights that plague women of color. I found it impossible not to fall for her striking beauty along with her gorgeous heart."" - GABOUREY SIDIBE, actress and author of This is Just My Face, "" ""A stunning collection of urgent, intimate essays paired with powerful, annotated photos of Ky wearing her hair sculptures, often in lush outdoor Ivorian settings. Seamlessly marrying style and substance, the sculptures and essays reveal the author's journey of self-acceptance, raise awareness of a wide range of social issues, and celebrate African aesthetic and spiritual traditions....Come for the beautiful art as activism, stay for the deeply personal memoir and rich cultural history."" - Kirkus Reviews (STARRED REVIEW) ""Buy this book! Read it, then buy it for young women, and for young Black women especially. While its message will be most powerful for young women like Ky, it is also for any woman who needs to be reminded about how to be resilient in the face of all that women go through. It is a wonderful celebration, and a defiant shout."" -- Shona Reads blog ""Ky frames her sculptural work within personal narratives that dig into issues of mental health, internalized misogyny, African heritage, sexism, self-care, Black beauty and other themes close to her heart. As a member of a new global guard of young creatives who refuse to separate their work from their beliefs and values, Ky is poised to become a strong role model for young people finding their way in the world."" -- BookPage ""This is a fantastic book that is half personal essay and half photography...Laetitia Ky's hair sculptures and modeling is absolutely magnificent....I think this would be a lovely book to keep on your coffee table. Four stars."" -- Latitude's Library blog"

Artist, activist and influencer Ky is known for sculpting her own hair to create powerful and joyful artwork that embraces the beauty of Black hair and style. In her first book she showcases 125 photographs of her creations, interwoven with stories about her Ivory Coast childhood and more. - The Bookseller (UK), After following Laetitia Ky on Instagram for many years, it is thrilling to be able to see her photographs in print. It's even more satisfying to learn about her point of view through the personal stories and political beliefs that inspire her at times playful and poignant images. Ky's work is moving and bold. -- EMILY RATAJKOWSKI, author of My Body, There is no subject that Laetitia Ky can't address in her art with openness and insightfulness. What she creates with her hair and body brings beauty to the universal freights that plague women of color. I found it impossible not to fall for her striking beauty along with her gorgeous heart. -- GABOUREY SIDIBE, actress and author of This is Just My Face,

After following Laetitia Ky on Instagram for many years, it is thrilling to be able to see her photographs in print. It's even more satisfying to learn about her point of view through the personal stories and political beliefs that inspire her at times playful and poignant images. Ky's work is moving and bold. -- EMILY RATAJKOWSKI, author of My Body, There is no subject that Laetitia Ky can't address in her art with openness and insightfulness. What she creates with her hair and body brings beauty to the universal freights that plague women of color. I found it impossible not to fall for her striking beauty along with her gorgeous heart. -- GABOUREY SIDIBE, actress and author of This is Just My Face,

Author Information

Laetitia Ky is an artist, photographer, model, fashion designer, and social media influencer. Ky was named one of PAPER magazine's top 100 people taking over 2019."" She lives in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.""

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