- pronoun
He/Him - Why did you create this work?
Jamaal Barber was commissioned to capture the spirit of The Underground Railroad. He drew inspiration from his own piece A Place For Me (After Bearden) and the work of William H Johnson and Romare Bearden. His bold, saturated colours and woodcut textures reflect the surreal tone of the novel while confronting its dark themes of slavery and resilience. - How were your illustrations used?
Jamaal's illustrations were used on the slipcase, cover and inside The Folio Society's edition of The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead. - What materials and techniques did you use?
Jamaal used a mixed-media technique built around the woodcuts of the significant characters. Each figure was carved in linoleum and printed separately. He then collaged those figures into compositions with painted papers. - Was this project commissioned?
Commissioned - Commissioner Name
The Folio Society - Commissioner Company
The Folio Society - Commissioner Instagram
@foliosociety - College / University
East Carolina University and Georgia State University - Course and graduation date
East Carolina University for undergrad. Georgia State University - MFA in Printmaking. - Personal Website or Portfolio Link
jbarberstudio.com/ - Instagram
@jbarberstudio - Biography
Jamaal Barber is a Virginia-born artist raised in North Carolina. After discovering printmaking in 2013, he made it his focus, creating woodcuts and mixed-media prints. His work features in The Folio Society’s The Underground Railroad and he’s appeared on MTV’s The Exhibit. Clients include Twitter, NYT, Penguin Random House and Black Art in America. - Where are you currently based?
United States of America (USA)
Jamaal BarberJamaalBarber_Underground Railroad_Image 3
Jamaal BarberJamaal Barber_ Underground Railroad_ Image 4
Jamaal BarberJamaal Barber_ Underground Railroad_ Image 2