Original works interpreted in collaboration with Play Press

32 pages, 7X9.5 inches, riso printed - 2018

Designed and edited by Raphael Villet

Project 1 of the Play House Print Series

Edition of 150

READING ME, derives from a series of trace monotypes/paintings made for I like the way you look at my brown, black, blue body, I don’t like the way my brown, black, blue body has been historically looked at, a solo show by Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo at Lago Projects in Oakland, CA, Winter 2016/17. Thinking about the ways Lukaza's queer, black, female, mixed body is seen in the world. About using her personal experiences to address the ways our bodies are looked at, targeted and treated in the larger community and society as a whole. The first part of the title, celebrates and shines light on the incredible ways that we create communities that support and see us in the truest forms of ourselves. The second part reflects on the terrible ways that our bodies have been perceived, devalued and mistreated historically, and currently. That balance, those polarities and differences, are seen throughout the work in a variety of ways; in black and red checkers, in bold next to delicate text, in sweeping gestures next to hard lines.

The PLAY HOUSE print series transfers power to the artists to direct where Play Press invests it's efforts. After the launch of this first project, Lukaza will pick the next artist for Play Press to work with. And that artist or activist or collective or whoever Lukaza chooses, will choose the next person. It's an attempt to expand the community of Play Press: to generate new collaborations. The dots will reveal themselves, and the community will grow!

Orders will ship May 23