This is a guest post by Lindsey Tyne, Conservation Librarian, NYU Libraries Ashley Bryan (1923–2022) used colored and hand-painted papers cut into the shapes of people, ships, water, land, and sky to create the collages that fill the pages of Sail Away, 2015, as printed images. When these eighteen collages (2021.25:1–18) entered the collection of the Morgan Library & Museum in 2021 as a gift of the Ashley Bryan Center, I was drawn to the rich colors and textures of the collage papers and immediately recognized one paper, Canson Mi-Teintes®, by its distinctive honeycomb texture.
Ashley Bryan's bold, colourful, collaged illustrations from his book; 'Beautiful Blackbird' an adaptation of a traditional Zambian tale “it means a lot to me to open up aspects of black culture to people. I hope that my work with the African tales will be . . . like a bridge reaching across distances of time and space.” Ashley Bryan Ashley Bryan is an amazing, energetic, warm man who brings stories to life with his illustrations, puppetry and storytelling.
A lifelong pursuit of Black representation in children’s books.
After serving in World War II, the painter and writer found solace in his work (and on a small island in Maine).
Inspired by the black oral tradition, many of Bryan’s books are reworkings of traditional spirituals, folk stories, and poems. “His works are a celebration of African American experience and offer black children an important opportunity to see themselves represented in the pages of books,” says exhibition cocurator Virginia Shearer.
Ashley Bryan's bold, colourful, collaged illustrations from his book; 'Beautiful Blackbird' an adaptation of a traditional Zambian tale “it means a lot to me to open up aspects of black culture to people. I hope that my work with the African tales will be . . . like a bridge reaching across distances of time and space.” Ashley Bryan Ashley Bryan is an amazing, energetic, warm man who brings stories to life with his illustrations, puppetry and storytelling.
I will never forget this man's energy, love of color, excitement for the creative process, his great attitude, and how animated and lucid he is. His youthfulness at 93 is truly the greatest art of all.
He created stories centered on African and African American folk tales and his vibrantly colored collage and paper-cut illustrations adorned the pages of some 50 books.
Renowned children’s book author and illustrator, Ashley Bryan, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how—over almost 100 years—art has helped Ashley persevere through adversity. They also discuss Ashley’s experiences during World War II; Ashely’s 50-year career in children’s publishing; and why art is
Ashley Bryan's bold, colourful, collaged illustrations from his book; 'Beautiful Blackbird' an adaptation of a traditional Zambian tale “it means a lot to me to open up aspects of black culture to people. I hope that my work with the African tales will be . . . like a bridge reaching across distances of time and space.” Ashley Bryan Ashley Bryan is an amazing, energetic, warm man who brings stories to life with his illustrations, puppetry and storytelling.
After serving in World War II, the painter and writer found solace in his work (and on a small island in Maine).
Coretta Scott King Award winner Ashley Bryan celebrates three favorite spirituals in this colorful and joyous picture book. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. Come, sing, and celebrate the power of the beloved songs “This Little Light of Mine,” “Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In,” and “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” through kaleidoscopic illustrations of color and cut paper.
Whike kayaking the Maine coast in May 2014, geology professor Dyk Eusden '80 and his students were blown off course — and into the welcoming an magical world of artist Ashley Bryan, who died last week at age 98.
Ashley Bryan's bold, colourful, collaged illustrations from his book; 'Beautiful Blackbird' an adaptation of a traditional Zambian tale “it means a lot to me to open up aspects of black culture to people. I hope that my work with the African tales will be . . . like a bridge reaching across distances of time and space.” Ashley Bryan Ashley Bryan is an amazing, energetic, warm man who brings stories to life with his illustrations, puppetry and storytelling.
Ashley Bryan is a black illustrator born in New York in 1923. He is famous for his rhythmic retelling of
This past year, I married the man I was born to love twice.
October 21, 2020 – March 20, 2021Extended through April 2, 2021 African…
He created stories centered on African and African American folk tales and his vibrantly colored collage and paper-cut illustrations adorned the pages of some 50 books.
Children learn about the world of artist Ashley Bryan, while creating a composition emphasizing cutting, pasting, repetition, balance and contrast.
There's power in knowing how to properly blow.
Name: Ashley & Bryan Norwood Location: Cambridgeport; Cambridge, MA Size: 440 square feet Years lived in: 6 years; Rented Filled with bright personality and space-conscious items, Ashley and Bryan’s apartment in the Cambridgeport neighborhood of Cambridge, MA, feels full but not cluttered. An intrinsic balance exists here—his and hers, style and function—and everything feels well-used and loved.
I will never forget this man's energy, love of color, excitement for the creative process, his great attitude, and how animated and lucid he is. His youthfulness at 93 is truly the greatest art of all.
Children learn about the world of artist Ashley Bryan, while creating a composition emphasizing cutting, pasting, repetition, balance and contrast.
