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dawnoftheread's review
4.0
Solid introduction for young people, and anyone wanting a basic introduction to contemporary and modern Black artists from around the world.
repeatbeatpoet's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
"For all the Black artists out there, keep on keepin' on" - Sharna Jackson
This book is a wide-ranging introduction to 26 leading African artists throughout the world, with lush illustrations, and uncomplicated easy-to-read and understand contextualisations accompanying an exemplary work from each artist. This book is an excellent exercise in Pan-Africanism through the artistic expressions of African descended artists whose work is interested in Black humanity, Black life, Black aliveness.
While it's not a particularly in-depth or academic study into the state of African Art globally today (maybe I had the wrong expectation here, given that Sharna Jackson usually writes mainly for children), it covers all the essential bases to understand contemporary Black art through a Pan-African lens, with effective representation of various artistic practices (painting, ceramics, sculpture, film, photography, fashion, performance, etc). The book also includes a fantastic artistic glossary too.
Extra credit to Belinda Webster for killing the design here, especially how the black and white portraits accompany each featured artist, and the contrasting thematic block pastel colour backgrounds and highlights which link each artist's section to their signifying art piece reproduced alongside them.
Would've like more depth on the politics, and representation from Black artists with Asian and Oceanic heritage, but the beauty is in its simplicity, and having all of these artists represented, with a variety of countries, languages, experiences, all differing facets of contemporary global Blackness, healthily shown in dialogue with each other.
"I'm rooting for everybody Black" - Issa Rae.
This book is a wide-ranging introduction to 26 leading African artists throughout the world, with lush illustrations, and uncomplicated easy-to-read and understand contextualisations accompanying an exemplary work from each artist. This book is an excellent exercise in Pan-Africanism through the artistic expressions of African descended artists whose work is interested in Black humanity, Black life, Black aliveness.
While it's not a particularly in-depth or academic study into the state of African Art globally today (maybe I had the wrong expectation here, given that Sharna Jackson usually writes mainly for children), it covers all the essential bases to understand contemporary Black art through a Pan-African lens, with effective representation of various artistic practices (painting, ceramics, sculpture, film, photography, fashion, performance, etc). The book also includes a fantastic artistic glossary too.
Extra credit to Belinda Webster for killing the design here, especially how the black and white portraits accompany each featured artist, and the contrasting thematic block pastel colour backgrounds and highlights which link each artist's section to their signifying art piece reproduced alongside them.
Would've like more depth on the politics, and representation from Black artists with Asian and Oceanic heritage, but the beauty is in its simplicity, and having all of these artists represented, with a variety of countries, languages, experiences, all differing facets of contemporary global Blackness, healthily shown in dialogue with each other.
"I'm rooting for everybody Black" - Issa Rae.
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