For over 142,000 years, beads have played an important role around the world as the oldest form of personal adornment. Joyce J. Scott has revolutionized and transformed the potential of the ubiquitous bead as a relevant, contemporary art form. For over fifty-one years she has devoted her aesthetic practice to waking up the world, expanding beadwork's boundaries, with powerful in-your-face social commentary. While addressing society's ills, her visual and performance conversations on cultural stereotypes and racial injustices elucidate her vibrant, brilliant works of art. The publication Messages features Joyce J. Scott's dynamic images with scholarly essays from experts in their field as well as museum curators' comments. Each individual provides deeper insights into the influences and extraordinary work of Joyce J. Scott, astutely capturing the essence and spirit of this icon of contemporary art.