Synopses & Reviews
Inspired by the forgotten burial ground discovered in lower Manhattan, this book tells the story of the first African American New Yorkers through 25 beautiful gouache paintings and striking prose. Opening with an essay that sets the tone, the book brings history alive with emotion through powerful imagery, and plays with size and placement of the images to convey a unique feel. It concludes with an interview with the painter where he discusses what life is like for an artist, how he views the art world’s acceptance of him as a black artist, and his feelings on artist collaboration.
Review
“Anyone with an eye for beauty will appreciate the art . . . it speaks of suffering, and it speaks of hope. This is a wonderfully crafted book both in terms of the writing, but also in terms of the beautiful illustrations rendered by Jemisin himself.” —Jim Coplen, author, The Wild Birds' Song
About the Author
Noah Jemison is an artist, professor, and world traveler. His works are included in a number of public and private collections throughout the U.S. and the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the Montclair Museum in New Jersey. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.