Gamwell told Ars that she was surprised by the sheer volume of art dedicated to black holes, particularly within Asian artistic traditions. "I was just astounded at how much art there is about black holes, and I was specifically interested in Asian art," she said. "There's just something about the concept of a black hole that resonates with the Eastern tradition. So many of the themes—the science of black holes, void, nothingness—"

Black holes, once considered purely theoretical, have increasingly captured the attention of both scientists and artists worldwide. The concept of a region in spacetime with such strong gravitational effects that nothing, not even light, can escape it, has provided fertile ground for artistic exploration across various cultures.

The book delves into how different cultural perspectives shape the artistic representations of black holes. Eastern philosophies, with their emphasis on concepts like emptiness and the void, find a particular resonance with the scientific understanding of these cosmic entities. Western art, too, has engaged with black holes, often exploring themes of the unknown, the infinite, and the limits of human understanding.

Gamwell's presentation at the Black Hole Initiative conference served as the catalyst for the book, highlighting the growing interdisciplinary dialogue between the scientific and artistic communities. The book aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the artistic landscape inspired by black holes, offering insights into the cultural and philosophical underpinnings of these representations.