Letter from the Editor.

The article focuses on the exploration of ugliness and the grotesque in contemporary society, as influenced by various artists, filmmakers, and cultural commentators. It discusses how societal norms around beauty and class shape perceptions of taste, while also highlighting a growing fascination with the grotesque in media and art. Notable artists such as Jenny Saville, Cecily Brown, and Tschabalala Self are mentioned for their work that interrogates themes of identity and the body. The issue features cover stories on artists Daiga Grantina, Karla Kaplun, and Alexandra Metcalf, who utilize the grotesque to address psychological and material resonances in today's world. Additionally, the article includes discussions on various artistic practices and revisits past works that engage with the theme of the grotesque. [Extracted from the article]