Curaçao, April 2025 – Dutch artist Alaïa Fonk returned to her island roots last week to debut the first international book tour and exhibition of her self-published photography book Backstories, a deeply personal project exploring identity, the female form, and the transformative power of visual storytelling.
The tour marked a significant milestone for Fonk, who curated, photographed, designed, and independently published the book at the end of 2024. Set across three events — a book signing at Mayiu Store, an exhibition opening at Zanolino Gallery, and a closing meet-and-greet — the tour was both a homecoming and a celebration of her artistic evolution.
“It felt like a whole new dimension of Backstories opened up,” says Fonk. “I was overwhelmed in the best way. It wasn’t just about showing the work, but about being surrounded by it, feeling people respond to it. It was humbling and surreal.”
A Visual Story of Finding Your Way
Backstories is more than an art or coffee table book — it's a narrative of self-discovery. Through the female body, Fonk invites readers into a vulnerable and poetic exploration of not fitting in and ultimately carving out a path of one’s own. Having spent part of her youth in Curaçao, bringing the book to the island was a deeply intentional choice.
“This island helped shape who I am. To bring Backstories here felt like closing a circle and opening a new one.”
Three Events, One Story
The book tour kicked off with an intimate book signing at Mayiu Store, offering space for direct conversation and connection with readers. On Wednesday, the official exhibition opening at Zanolino Gallery drew a full house — a moving moment for Fonk, who faced the event with both excitement and vulnerability.
“I had so many doubts leading up to the show — would people come, would they understand, would it be too much? But when I walked in and saw the room filling up, something shifted. It felt right.”
The final meet-and-greet provided a more casual setting where guests could engage with the artist and the work in a slower, more personal rhythm. All books available on Curaçao sold out, along with several artworks.
Financial Reality & Artistic Growth
While the success of the tour was palpable, Fonk is candid about the realities of self-publishing and independent production.
“People assume a sold-out tour equals profit, but this kind of work is about reinvestment. Everything goes back into Backstories. Financially, it’s not sustainable yet. But artistically? It’s everything.”
Fonk continues to support her practice through freelance creative work, with the long-term dream of making Backstories a fully self-sustaining project.
The Exhibition
The Backstories exhibition was on view at Zanolino Gallery, Curaçao, from March 9 through April 10, 2025. All artworks are for sale.
A Note on Substack
Fonk has also resumed posting on Substack, offering biweekly reflections on art, independence, and creative life.
For press inquiries, interview requests, or hi-res images, please contact:
📩 info@backstoriesbook.com
📸 Instagram: @alaaaia | @backstoriesbook
🌐 www.backstoriesbook.com