Marcia Wilson

More Info: https://aalbc.com/event-coverage/Dripping-Ink-Exhibit
Dripping Ink: Light Like a Feather, Heavy as Lead

By Marcia E. Wilson,
Edited by Sharon T. King

Dripping Ink is a selection of images of some of Americas most influential late 20th, and early 21st century authors of the African Diaspora. These writers use words as a weapon to express their inner power, courage, and purpose. They contribute to the human progress borne out of the mental and spiritual expansion created by books, thereby giving all readers the gifts of vision, inspiration, direction and hope.

I photographed our authors at public functions from signings to ceremonies with New York City as a backdrop. I wanted to capture on film the moments when the storyteller and his/her audience at these events became one. A constant exchange of dialogue between writer and audience at these events presented me with many opportunities to present these moments. These events also gave the audience an opportunity to place a face and personality on these spiritual and intellectual guides the authors.

Many of these images in this series were captured in Black-owned bookstores (Nkiru Books, Brooklyn), churches (Abyssinian Baptist Church, Harlem), book fairs (The Harlem Book Fair), and educational institutions (The Schomburg Library).

I invite you to view these photographs with your minds, hearts and souls. May the photographer and her audience become one. Click!


Dedication
I dedicate this presentation to the small and obsolete Black bookstores, notably the late 20th century pioneers: The Nkiru Center for Education and Culture, formerly Nkiru Books, Black Books Plus, Liberation Bookstore, which had, for many years, opened their doors to Black authors when many others were closing theirs. I also would like to thank the authors who with their tales, poetry and knowledge have positively impacted my life beyond my expectations.