Rafael Prieto

Exhibited at DESIGN MIAMI. 2023

Created exclusively for the The Book of Love fundraiser for the Books & Books Literary Foundation, this limited-edition print features Rafael Prieto’s original artwork celebrating Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel, one of hundreds of beloved titles subject to recent book bans and challenges.

According to Prieto: “The image is made from a photo I took of a composition of two animal bones and chocolate. I cast the bones and made a mold to create replicas in chocolate. I present them as a couple to evoke the sensuality, companionship, and flavor of this beautiful novel.” 

All proceeds benefit the Books & Books Literary Foundation’s urgent fight for the right to read.

About Rafael Prieto: 

Mexican designer Rafael Prieto is Founder and Creative Director of Savvy Studio, a design and branding practice based in New York and Mexico City. The studio's core practice is based on research and exploration of culture – inspired by art and materiality – creating each project in a deeply contemplative manner. Since founding Savvy in 2012, Prieto has brought his distinct perspective to the building of artistic, innovative and personal concepts in the arts, hospitality, retail, and more. Rafael is also the owner of Casa Bosques, an experimental, cult chocolate company, as well as Casa Bosques Books, an art-forward purveyor of literature in Mexico. He recently opened Pensión, a private guest house above the bookshop.

In the past year Prieto has been working on Marrow, a new lighting design studio, playing between function and sculpture. With Marrow, Prieto recently participated in internationally-acclaimed collectible design shows, including SIZED’s INDUSTRIALISM exhibition in the West Village, and MASA’s INTERVENCIÓN/ INTERSECCIÓN exhibition at Rockefeller Center. Prieto is represented by Emma Scully Gallery in New York.

About Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel 

This classic love story takes place on the De la Garza ranch, as the tyrannical owner, Mama Elena, chops onions at the kitchen table in her final days of pregnancy. While still in her mother's womb, her daughter-to-be weeps so violently she causes an early labor, and little Tita slips out amid the spices and fixings for noodle soup. This early encounter with food soon becomes a way of life, and Tita grows up to be a master chef, using cooking to express herself and sharing recipes with readers along the way.