Seen: Edmonia Lewis

Edmonia Lewis was the first sculptor of African-American and Native American heritage to earn international acclaim. Jasmine Walls and Bex Glendining present the true story of courage, determination, and perseverance during the Civil War to create true beauty that still reverberates today. Seen: True Stories of Marginalized Trailblazers is a new series spotlighting the real groundbreakers who changed our world for the better.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 80 pages
Publication date: 01 October 2020
Publisher: Boom! Studios

Sometimes the times were dark and the outlook was lonesome, but where there is a will, there is a way. I pitched in and dug at my work until now I am where I am.

Meet Edmonia Lewis, the woman who changed America during the Civil War by becoming the first sculptor of African-American and Native American heritage to earn international acclaim.

Jasmine Walls and Bex Glendining present the true story of courage, determination, and perseverance through one of America's most violent eras to create true beauty that still reverberates today.

It's about being seen. Both for who you are, and who you hope you can become. History is a mirror, and all too often, the history we were told in school reflects only a small subset of the population. In Seen: True Stories of Marginalized Trailblazers, you'll find the stories of the real groundbreakers who changed our world for the better. They're the heroes: the inventors, the artists, the activists, and more whose stories you won't want to miss. The people whose lives show us both where we are and where we're going.

Edmonia Lewis was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1844. She was the daughter of a free black man and a white woman, and her mixed-race heritage made her a target of discrimination and prejudice throughout her life. Despite these challenges, Lewis was determined to pursue her passion for art.

At the age of 16, Lewis began studying sculpture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She was the first African-American woman to attend MIT, and she faced significant obstacles and discrimination from her fellow students and faculty. However, Lewis was determined to succeed and worked tirelessly to improve her skills and knowledge.

In 1863, Lewis was commissioned to create a sculpture for the Boston Public Garden. The sculpture, which was titled "The Contemplation of the Negro," was a powerful and controversial piece that depicted a black woman sitting on a rock and contemplating her future. The sculpture was a groundbreaking achievement for Lewis, as it was the first sculpture of an African-American woman to be commissioned by a public institution in the United States.

Despite the positive response to "The Contemplation of the Negro," Lewis faced significant backlash and criticism from white supremacists and other members of the public. Some people accused Lewis of being a traitor to her race and of promoting white supremacy. Lewis was deeply hurt by these accusations and struggled to find support and recognition for her work.

However, Lewis refused to be discouraged. She continued to create sculptures that depicted the lives and experiences of African-Americans and other marginalized communities. Her work was deeply political and social, and it aimed to challenge the dominant narratives of American history and culture.

Lewis's most famous sculpture is "The Birth of the Republic," which she created in 1865. The sculpture depicts a black woman holding a baby in her arms and is a powerful symbol of the emancipation of African-Americans and the birth of the United States.

Lewis's work was widely celebrated and admired during her lifetime, and she was recognized as a pioneering artist and sculptor. However, she faced significant barriers to success and recognition, including discrimination and prejudice from the art world and the broader society.

Despite these challenges, Lewis remained committed to her art and her mission to promote social justice and equality. She continued to create sculptures that depicted the lives and experiences of marginalized communities and worked tirelessly to promote the recognition and appreciation of African-American art and culture.

Edmonia Lewis's life and work are a testament to the power of perseverance, determination, and the pursuit of one's dreams. She faced significant obstacles and discrimination throughout her life, but her passion for art and her commitment to social justice drove her to achieve great success and recognition.

Lewis's legacy continues to inspire and influence artists and activists around the world. Her work serves as a reminder of the importance of challenging dominant narratives and promoting social justice and equality.

In conclusion, Edmonia Lewis was a pioneering artist and sculptor who changed America during the Civil War by becoming the first sculptor of African-American and Native American heritage to earn international acclaim. Her work was deeply political and social, and it aimed to challenge the dominant narratives of American history and culture. Lewis's life and work are a testament to the power of perseverance, determination, and the pursuit of one's dreams, and her legacy continues to inspire and influence artists and activists around the world.

Weight: 148g
Dimension: 127 x 179 x 4 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781684156344