If your gift giving this holiday season includes books, check out celebrated visual artist and Gullah cultural ambassador Leroy Campbell?s ?My Authentic Self? Coffee Table Book.
A 55-page veritable feast of images that celebrate African American life, the book pays homage to Campbell?s African roots and the journey to self-discovery.?
?My artwork is about family and relationships. The book is about the African American journey from the south to the north and the community culture?how it held us up, helped us through our day-to-day life, and allowed us to celebrate our traditions, values and beliefs,? Campbell told TNJ.com in an exclusive interview.?
Born and raised in South Carolina, Campbell describes the book as a retrospective that spans up to today and reflects the various universal themes of family, religion, politics, the church and education. ?Although these are nostalgic images, they become a blueprint for today,? notes Campbell.?
The images are also very personal.
?The spirit of the book is about how I used art and culture to help me overcome my childhood pain and struggles which led me to understand my passion, my life?s purpose, and everything that is authentic about me,? he shares.
The book is on display now through December 20 at a pop-up gallery at Harlem?s The Sol Studio, located at 2073 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., between 123rd St. and 124th St in NYC, and can be purchased on Campbell?s website.
