Published by Pioneer Works Press. Edited by Zainab Aliyu. Text by American Artist, Taylor Renee Aldridge, Lou Cornum, Tananarive Due, Alexis Pauline Gumbs, Ayana Jamieson, Fred Moten.
The richly illustrated Shaper of God is a compelling exploration of the legacy of science-fiction writer Octavia E. Butler (1947–2006), reimagined through the visionary lens of American Artist (born 1989). American Artist’s multidisciplinary approach delves into three pivotal themes of Butler’s oeuvre: the profound impact of her family’s migration; the role of Pasadena and Los Angeles, with their distinct academic, scientific and natural landscapes; and her critical engagement with space exploration, interrogating its implications for Black and Indigenous communities. This book features American Artist’s video, installation, sculpture and drawing, alongside essays, exhibition documentation and a compilation of diverse mediums, including sketches, digital communications and archival materials, inviting readers to reconsider history, technology and identity. This volume is an essential resource for understanding both Butler’s groundbreaking narratives and the contemporary issues they continue to shape.
