Merky Books snaps up Alayo Akinkugbe's Reframing Blackness

Merky Books will publish Reframing Blackness by Alayo Akinkugbe, a curator and founder of the social media account @ABlackHistoryOfArt.

Helen Conford acquired world rights in a direct approach, and the book will be published in July 2025.

"Exploring the presentation of Black figures in Western art, Blackness in museums, Blackness in feminist art movements, as well as Blackness in the curriculum, Akinkugbe’s work unveils an overlooked but integral part of our collective art history," the synopsis says. "Refreshing and accessible, this promises to start a much-needed conversation in culture and education."

The book will be the first art history book published by Merky Books and will be supported by a campaign that will include retailer support, an event tour focused on university towns and an extensive marketing campaign.

Akinkugbe said: "As a student, Reframing Blackness was a book I longed to read but could not find."

Conford added: "Alayo’s work starts a much-needed conversation around a long-buried but integral part of our collective art history."