Porgy & Bess Heyward, DuBose (Libretto and Lyrics); Gershwin, Ira (Lyrics); Gershwin, George (Music); Walker, Kara (Artist) Andrew Hoyem and Arion Press (New)

Quarto, 12-5/8 by 9-3/4 inches, 136 pages. Prints editioned by Derrière L Etoile Studio NYC, under the supervision of Maurice Sanchez. Bound with red leather spine and printed cotton sides, in slipcase. Edition of 400 numbered and signed copies for sale. This artist book ofPorgy & Bess,the libretto by DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin, is the occasion for Kara Walker s first series of lithographs. The book contains 16 lithographs Porgy & Bess has been controversial since its premiere in 1935; Kara Walker is known for her controversial art on themes of race, violence, and American history. In her Artist s Statement, she says of the characters: "they ve become archetypes of another no less grand drama, that of: American Negroes drawn up by white authors, and retooled by individual actors, amid charges of racism, and counter charges of high-art on stage and screen, in the face of social and political upheaval, over generations." This fraught status, along with memories of her mother s reaction to a cast recording, led her to render them in a straightforward way, " more an homage to the feeling of the music. And to that feeling I had as a child of a heavy atmosphere hanging around a timeless act of love." ___POSTAGE: International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please inquire for details. ___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB, and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help.