Grace Wales Bonner Delves Into Howard University’s Archives For Limited Print Publication

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Grace Wales Bonner has produced a unique, limited-edition publication titled “Howard Universal.” This tribute honors the distinguished legacy of Howard University, an esteemed Historically Black College & University located in Washington DC. Featuring historical photographs, thoughts from alumni, and student contributions, Wales Bonner’s research project skillfully paints a picture that links the present with the past of this venerable institution.

In a statement, Wales Bonner expressed that Howard University evoked a powerful sense of an influential intellectual legacy which had always captivated her from a distance. She likened the university to a sanctuary, radiating like a beacon of black culture. This tribute to the legacy embodies the everyday expressions we see on campus – the determined gaze of students looking towards the future, the wise guidance of teachers returning, and the subtle traces of style serving as her gateway into a unique history.

Images taken between 1947 and 2011 from the university’s yearbook collection, along with current photographs captured on campus by D’Andre Williams, are displayed together in this project. The collaborators list is lengthy, featuring a statement from musician Laraaji, submissions from cinematographer Bradford Young and stylist Marcus Paul, and reprints from the late author Toni Morrison. Pablo Jomaron, founder of Red Lebanese Publishing House, was responsible for designing the entire book layout.

The publication’s appreciation for historical materials mirrors Wales Bonner’s latest FW25 collection, showcasing photographs from The Black Image Corporation, a project by Chicago artist Theaster Gates. This collection, sourced from the Johnson Publishing Company, celebrates the influential role of Black women in global culture using distinctive half-tone graphics. Earlier last year, Bonner also recognized the birthplace of hip-hop with her adidas Originals FW24 collection, which was photographed in Harlem, New York City.

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The distribution of Howard Universal is happening freely at various locations, including the Howard University campus in Washington D.C., the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York City, For Keeps Books in Atlanta, Reference Point Library in London, as well as the Stuart Hall Library in another London location.

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2025-02-07 01:26