by Sharna Jackson
Beautifully illustrated by Marilyn Esther Chi, this children’s guide to the work and lives of 14 inspirational artists is an absolute treat. Featuring images of key artworks, this is a book to read again and again.
Black Artists Shaping the World includes some of my all-time favourites, including Lubaina Himid and Kehinde Wiley. It introduced me to several artists I didn’t know, too. I am excited to fall down internet rabbit holes looking at their work, and watch out for them in galleries too. I love the idea that children reading this book will be inspired in a similar way, and to get creative themselves.
The accessible and engaging text strikes just the right balance between contextualising the artists’ work and showing how they make it. Embarrassingly, I got to the end before realising it was written by Riverside favourite Sharna Jackson, whose excellent High Rise Mystery we have been selling for ages. A useful glossary and proper list of artworks make this a great educational work.
The book is beautifully presented, making it a perfect gift. It’s already solved several Christmas present conundrums for me (yes, I shop early – I can’t resist). Is it greedy to be hoping already for volume 2?
(Review by Bethan)