The Art Newspaper’s editors have selected their top art books of 2025, featuring a diverse range of titles. Highlights include "Kerry James Marshall: The Histories," a catalogue from the Royal Academy of Arts exhibition surveying the American artist’s large-scale history paintings centered on Black figures; "Minimal, edited by Jessica Morgan," which reassesses overlooked Minimalist artists; and "Lee Miller," the Tate Britain exhibition catalogue exploring the photographer’s multifaceted career. Other notable picks include monographs on Celia Paul, Shahzia Sikander, and Edward Gorey, as well as a comprehensive overview of Middle Eastern art from 1900 to now.
This list matters because it reflects current curatorial and publishing priorities in the art world, emphasizing inclusivity, historical reassessment, and the elevation of underrepresented artists. By spotlighting figures such as Kishio Suga, Meg Webster, and Shahzia Sikander, the selections challenge traditional art historical canons and highlight ongoing efforts to diversify art narratives. The inclusion of both major museum catalogues and independent publications also underscores the vital role of art books in documenting and shaping contemporary art discourse.