2016
In August 2016, Sarah Kahloun realized an old dream by founding KAHL Editions in London, with the mission of publishing contemporary artists who had never been published before.
In August 2016, Sarah Kahloun realized an old dream by founding KAHL Editions in London, with the mission of publishing contemporary artists who had never been published before.
Two months later, KAHL Editions made its debut with Untitled Youth by Fumi Nagasaka. The book launched in Paris (OFR Bookstore / Gallery) and London (The Society Club, a private bookstore) and was completely sold out within three months.
ELLE UK wrote about it: "Untitled Youth captures the photographer's ongoing quest for the unexpected beauty of youth, freezing moments that are both pure and extraordinary."
In May 2017, KAHL Editions’ second release came with Imago by Zuza Krajewska. It premiered at Warsaw’s Museum of Modern Art and once again at OFR Gallery in Paris.
In September 2017, KAHL Editions co-edited Papier Magazine N°3, centered around the theme of "Provocation" and dedicated to the art of illustration. For this collaboration, KAHL Editions played a key role in curating the illustrators, assisting with the magazine's art direction, and organizing a major event that included an exhibition and multiple live performances.
In October 2017, KAHL Editions continued its momentum with the release of its third publication: Piece of Mind by Maison ARTC. This book made its debut at the Tokyo Art Book Fair and Tsutaya Bookstore before arriving at OFR Bookstore in Paris.
Another Magazine Africa will say: “The fashion chronicles of a dream catcher.”
In July 2018, KAHL Editions published its fourth book: Bleus Visages by Julien Boudet. The book was launched at the Museum La Chapelle du Quartier Haut in Sète (in the south of France) and later in Paris at OFR Bookstore.
September 2018 marked the culmination of more than a year of hard work and collaboration with 50 Paris-based artists as Charbon—a book and movie project—came to life, curated by Harmony Coryn. The ambitious project included a 300-page book and a 78-minute film.
Released in Paris at Cinéma Le Brady, OFR Bookstore, and Lucid Interval, Charbon was praised as a project destined to become iconic.
As Art Critique predicted, "In twenty years, it will be a rare collector’s item, and the film will undoubtedly achieve cult status."
Directed by Elora Thevenet, Charbon The Movie explores LGBTQ+ and subversive culture, spotlighting a new generation of Parisian artists—writers, photographers, performers, musicians, and poets—who candidly share their thoughts. The film gained significant recognition, opening the La Fête du Slip festival in Lausanne in 2019 and being selected for the Tokyo Lift-Off Film Festival Online and AltFF Alternative Film Festival in Toronto, where it was a semi-finalist, as well as the Sydney Lift-Off Film Festival.
January 2020 saw the release of KAHL Editions’ sixth book, East End of Europe by Patrick Bienert. The book was launched at OFR Gallery in Paris with a solo show of the artist.
Also in January, KAHL Editions introduced its seventh book, I Am A Mermaid by Alice Rosati. The release was celebrated with a solo exhibition at Galerie Charraudeau (curated by Sarah de Scisciolo), followed by a book signing at OFR Bookstore in Paris.
Fisheye Magazine described the work as “between lyricism and irony,” stating that "Alice Rosati signs, with I Am A Mermaid, a modern and impetuous fiction."
In the post-pandemic world, KAHL Editions made its return in September 2021 with its eighth book, Beirut by Serge Najjar, featuring contributions from Ferrante Ferranti and Jean-Luc Monterosso.
This poignant work followed the devastating explosion in June 2020 in Beirut, Lebanon. Najjar had originally planned to hold the release at the Tanit Gallery in Beirut, located on the first floor of a building that was ravaged by the blast.
Instead, the release took place at the Art Paris Fair at the Grand Palais Éphémère in September (with Galerie Bessières), followed by a second launch at the Paris Photo Fair in November 2021 (with Tanit Gallery).
KAHL Editions expanded its horizons in 2022, opening a new office in Mexico City with the aim of focusing more on the Americas. This move marked a significant step in the publisher’s global presence, allowing them to engage more deeply with the vibrant art scene in Latin America.
In February 2022, during Mexico City’s art week, KAHL Editions released its 10th book: El Cimarrón y su Fandango by Mara Sánchez Renero. This powerful work explores the Afro-Mexican community and was featured at ZonaMaco, Mexico’s most important art fair, in collaboration with the Almanaque gallery.
The book’s release was followed by a conference at Centro de la Imagen, featuring Afro-Mexican activists Aleida Violeta Vázquez Cisneros and Hugo Arellanes Antonio, and a presentation at the iconic Casa Bosques bookstore.
In May 2022, KAHL Editions traveled to Tangier, Morocco, to release its 11th book, Tangier: Something is Possible, by Mounir Fatmi and Guillaume de Sardes. The launch took place at Le Musée de la Kasbah, accompanied by an exhibition, celebrating the rich cultural tapestry of Tangier and its artistic potential.
In October 2022, KAHL Editions released its 12th book, Quand la ville dort by Nordine Makhloufi, which was presented at OFR Bookstore in Paris. Lense Magazine hailed the work as "a tribute to queers' friendships," recognizing its heartfelt portrayal of connection within the LGBTQ+ community.
In November 2022, KAHL Editions introduced its 13th book, Marching Wolves by Fumi Nagasaka. Described by Another Magazine as "a very American portrait of a New Orleans Marching Band," this book captures the spirit, energy, and culture of a uniquely American musical tradition.
Being based in Mexico enabled Sarah Kahloun to bring together a strong team to develop the first book of the great artist Ana Segovia. With the support of Aurélie Vandewynckele as curator and Galeria Karen Hubert and Rocio Fernandez de Angulo as coordinators, KAHL Editions undertook an intense year of work to achieve this project. The result was KAHL Editions’ 14th book: It's Not What It Looks Like by Ana Segovia, featuring contributions from Aurélie Vandewynckele, Alan Sierra, Ana Segovia, Allan Villavicencio, Jerónimo Rüedi, Mariel Vela García, Cole Heinowitz, and Sandra Sánchez.
This 280-page book was first celebrated with a release party at the mezcal club Los Salvajes in Roma Norte, followed by its official release in February 2023 at Casa Bosques in Mexico. In July 2023, a conference related to the book was held at the Tamayo Museum.
In 2023, KAHL Editions also participated in several major art fairs, including the Index Art Book Fair in Mexico, Tsundoku Art Book Fair in Dublin, the SF Art Book Fair in San Francisco, and Printed Matter’s Art Book Fair in Los Angeles.
In April 2024, KAHL Editions will head to New York for the release of its 15th book: Yaoundé by Michel Kameni.
This book, the result of months of collaboration with curator Benjamin Hoffman, who is also the heir to Kameni's work, is a 212-page celebration of Kameni’s legacy. It features a novel by renowned author Eugène Ébodé, written exclusively for this project.
The book will be unveiled at The Armory Show, accompanied by a solo exhibition of the iconic photographer Michel Kameni, showcasing his extraordinary body of work.
In May 2024, KAHL Editions will travel to Guadalajara for the release of its 16th book, Coliseo by Orlando Torres Canela, at the Museo de las Artes de Guadalajara. At a time when tolerance is increasingly difficult to achieve globally, this book serves as a powerful tool to "face the violence," as Cronica Jalisco aptly noted.
With its unwavering dedication to showcasing underrepresented voices, fostering emerging talents, and pushing the boundaries of contemporary publishing, KAHL Editions continues to grow as a dynamic force in the global art world. From London to Mexico City and beyond, the imprint has become synonymous with bold artistic expression, collaboration, and a commitment to creating meaningful cultural dialogues through print.
The journey of KAHL Editions is far from over, with each new project reaffirming its place as a trailblazer in the ever-evolving world of art books.
