Description
Yesterday I slung my depression on my back and went to the museum. I only asked four attendants where the Agnes painting was and the fifth one knew. I walked into the room and saw it right away. From afar, it was a large white square.
With My Back to the World engages with the paintings and writings of Agnes Martin, the celebrated abstract artist, in ways that open up new modes of expression, expanding the scope of what art, poetry, and the human mind can do. Filled with surprise and insight, wit and profundity, the book explores the nature of the self, of existence, life and death, grief and depression, time and space. Strikingly original, fluidly strange, Victoria Chang’s new collection is a book that speaks to how we see and are seen.
A new collection of poetry inspired by the work of Agnes Martin, exploring topics of feminism, art, depression, and grief.
Endorsements
Forward Book Prize for Best Poetry Collection
Kingsley Tufts Book Award Finalist
PEN/Jean Stein Book Award Finalist
California Book Award Finalist
NPR Best Books of the Year
The Guardian Best Poetry Books of 2024
LitHub Favorite Poetry Collections of the Year
Electric Lit Best Poetry Collections of 2024
Today Show pick
Roxane Gay Audacious Book Club Selection
Publishers Weekly starred review and Top Ten Spring 2024 list
Booklist starred review
BookPage starred review