Expressions of Joy Suffuse ‘Rainbow Dreams: Color and Light in Contemporary Art’

Edited by international art-world fixtures Valentine Uhovski and Olga Rei and published by Monacelli (a Phaidon company), Rainbow Dreams: Color and Light in Contemporary Art radiates with the inherent joy of prismatic art pieces. Featuring works by more than 100 contemporary artists, the curation covers painting, sculpture, installation, and more—with color, hope, and optimism as the connective tissue. Beneath this ode to the multicolored gradient is a study on the power of art to move casual observers, experts, and people of all ages. In addition to a moving introduction by Uhovski and Rei, the text incorporates a conversation between Judy Chicago and Sarah Thornton, and an interview with Mickalene Thomas.

“We founded our creative collective, Rainbow Contemporary, in 2020, when the world needed hope,” Uhovski tells Surface. “That project was really focused on artist collaboration. And after looking through our travel and art archives over the last fifteen years, we realized that we’ve been unconsciously drawn to pieces that celebrate color and light. So, that’s where we’ve started to collage and put together pieces that resonated with us the most, and the DNA for Rainbow Dreams was born.”

The book’s kaleidoscopic curation spotlights 200 contemporary artworks. Rei and Uhovski started with more than 400 as they quested to encompass various mediums, perspectives, and nationalities. “It was also crucial for us to feature some newer names like Hiva Alizadeh and Leslie Martinez, along with legends like the late Sam Gilliam or Hiroshi Sugimoto,” Uhovski continues about the editing process. “Nearly everyone we approached got it and agreed to be part of the Phaidon book. We’re also launching a series of three prints to benefit the Ali Forney Center as an extension of the book, with Judy Chicago’s work now live.”

With its ombre effect and weighty materiality, the book itself is an object of playful beauty. “Both of us were fortunate to work with a fantastic Madrid-based creative director, Paco Lacasta, to emphasize the gradient,” Uhovski explains. “It was also very important to feature continuous bleed almost to invite in more light and to celebrate the beautiful art in the book.” Ultimately, Rainbow Dreams is a compelling addition to any coffee table, but an exuberant, inspiring experience for anyone who opens it up.