Love and Justice

Résumé : The personal story of artist, activist, and influencer Laetitia Ky, known for sculpting her own hair to create playful and powerful artwork that embraces the beauty of Black hair and style, the fight for social justice, and the journey toward self-love. Laetitia Ky is a polyvalent artist, a one-of-a-kind creative voice, and a hugely popular Instagram and TikTok influencer with millions of followers. Ky uses her own hair (with the help of extensions, wool, wire, and thread) to craft and photograph unique and compelling sculptures. As a passionate advocate for social justice, Ky shines a light on the pressing issues of our time: sex-based and racial oppression, harmful beauty standards, shame and its corrosive effect on mental health, and more. Equal parts memoir, art book, and feminist manifesto, Love and Justice showcases 135 remarkable photographs interwoven with stories about Ky's Ivory Coast childhood, her strong family ties, her embrace of her African roots, her own journey toward self-love, and her desire to lift up other women—especially Black women. Ky's striking words and images honestly celebrate women's sexuality and the female body and call for women's empowerment—extending a generous invitation for us all to love ourselves and to work toward a more just world.