Steve McQueen's 'Bounty' Photobook Explores Grenada's Flora and Colonial History

Artist and filmmaker Steve McQueen has released a new monograph titled 'Bounty' through Mack Books, featuring photographs of Grenada's plant life taken in 2024. The publication, designed by Irma Boom, includes vibrant images of hibiscuses, jungle geraniums, chenille plants, and dancing orchids, alongside poems by Derek Walcott and Dionne Brand. McQueen's inspiration for the project stemmed from attending the Chelsea Flower Show in 2023, where he reflected on the colonial implications of English gardens. The work examines Grenada's history of colonial exploitation, beginning with French colonization in 1649 and British control from 1763, which involved the displacement of indigenous Carib people and the establishment of sugar plantations using enslaved African labor. Later, indentured workers from Asia were brought to the island. McQueen, whose father is from Grenada, connects the island's natural beauty to its violent past, referencing his earlier works 'Caribs' Leap' (2002) and 'Ashes' (2014-15) that also address Grenadian history. The book's title evokes the dual meanings of bounty as both abundance and reward, highlighting themes of extraction and resilience. Walcott's poem reflects on colonialism's legacy, while Brand's piece considers survival amid ongoing crises. McQueen notes that horrific events often occur in beautiful settings, describing this as life's perversity. He aims for the book to encourage viewers to reflect on their relationship with nature and question notions of paradise. The publication is currently available.