A review by librar_bee
Wrong Is Not My Name: Notes on (Black) Art by Erica N. Cardwell

challenging emotional inspiring reflective slow-paced

5.0

5  stars. Erica Cardwell weaves memoir with art criticism in a philosophic, meandering fashion that questions art criticism to its core. Through Black artists including Gabrielle Civil, Blondell Cummings, Adebunmi Gbadebo, and Kara Walker, Cardwell sifts through her own memories and musings on Black queerness, womanhood, and life.

Framed by the passing of her mother, Cardwell's narratives explore the ever-changing landscape of grief and how it affects her views of art. Her criticism brings the art closer to the viewer, the receiver, the interactor. Every word is like a calming drop of water, thoughtfully chosen and lyrically structured to bring about peaceful, philosophical reflections.

This is a beautiful volume of thoughtful observations and reflections. Cardwell's gift for writing is apparent from the first page and deftly carries the reader through visuals of multimedia exhibits so vividly, I cannot remember which I have already seen photos of and which I have not.

Disclaimer: Thank you to the Feminist Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. 
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