Reviews

Queer and Trans Artists of Color: Stories of Some of Our Lives by Nia King

riotsquirrrl's review against another edition

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5.0

Accessible and relevant in a way that more professional publications such as Trap Door are not.

mnsperkins's review against another edition

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5.0

READ THIS BOOK or listen to the podcast! I personally have a hard time reading transcripts and it took me a while to read through it. However, the information and discussions from the interviews were eye opening and made me think.
Art, how we define it and what price as artists and consumers should pay for it.
Privilege in the form of race, body type (never thought of this one), gender presentation, and sexual identity.
The is so much wonderful information. At the end of the book there is a list of all the artists and their websites, business, etc so you can go and support these amazing folks!

noahsingh's review against another edition

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emotional informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0


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villanellemp3's review against another edition

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lighthearted reflective fast-paced

3.0

emsan's review against another edition

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informative reflective medium-paced

3.25

nacirema's review against another edition

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5.0

A fantastic series of interviews, this book is a stellar read for artists and academics.

Each essay is a transcript of an interview that lead-editor Nia King conducted for her podcast series with different queer and/or trans artists of color, and the selections have been curated masterfully. While certain themes continually appear throughout the book (the prevailing white supremacy of academia, the importance of making the transition to paid artist, etc.), each interview subject gives their own unique spin on the issues. Nia also skillfully conducts each interview, making the speaker feel comfortable divulging stories of their art life and experiences, including in many cases, several delightful tangents and anecdotes that serve to illustrate the themes of the collection.

Because each chapter is a different transcript, this also makes the book a very easy read, which is meant entirely as a compliment. The transcripts, by nature, take on a conversational tone, and as someone used to reading screenplays, any instance of, essentially, dialog simply reads faster for me. I was able to absorb and underline with exceptional clarity the entire way through book.

Many of the stories are powerful, and while I did not want to put the book down, I found myself needing a break after certain chapters simply because of the passionate subject matter. I would definitely recommend this book to other minority artists, as well as anyone who wants a better grasp on the experiences of QTPOCs who are striving to make their art seen and their voices heard.

keondra's review

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3.0

an important read.

sazuka's review against another edition

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4.0

I found this book in the bathroom of a queer-friendly coop I was a house guest in, in a stack of books with the Sandman and Notes from Gaza.
These interviews are honest. They are soulful. They are about art and race and sexuality and light up in a million spots for me. There's practical advice within, too, but above all this book inspires because it shines minority artists in the spotlight and showers aspiring artists with role models.

touko's review against another edition

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4.0

I found this book in the bathroom of a queer-friendly coop I was a house guest in, in a stack of books with the Sandman and Notes from Gaza.
These interviews are honest. They are soulful. They are about art and race and sexuality and light up in a million spots for me. There's practical advice within, too, but above all this book inspires because it shines minority artists in the spotlight and showers aspiring artists with role models.

svetyas4's review

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5.0

Thoughtfully edited, meticulously put together, interesting, funny, sweet, sad. Everyone should read this!