Gullah Images: The Art of Jonathan Green [Hardcover]

Jonathan Green (Illustrator), Pat Conroy (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1996

In his art Jonathan Green paints an autobiography of his childhood and an ode to a people imbued with a profound respect for the dignity and value of others--the Gullah people of South Carolina's barrier islands. The 180 color images assembled in this collection showcase the meaning, purpose, and beauty that Green finds in the small but critical tasks of life.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The Gullah population of South Carolina's barrier islands descends from the people of West Africa's Gold Coast. Most of the barrier islands did not have transportation to the mainland until 1940; some still don't. This isolation guaranteed that the Gullah would experience little North American acculturation. Jonathan Green was born into this society and, through his paintings, has become one of its chroniclers. The more than 180 handsomely reproduced paintings included here capture the vibrancy of the Gullah community. Many of Green's subjects--weddings, funerals, cooking, storytelling--possess a timeless quality, but there are other more contemporary scenes, too, including a blues singer and a group of sunbathers. Whatever their subject, Green's paintings are marked by a richness of tone and spirit and an energy that reaches out from the canvas. As author Pat Conroy says in his introduction, "The Gullah people depicted in Jonathan Green's world look as if they got dressed while staring at rainbows." Informative essays about Gullah history and life add to the book's considerable appeal. Ilene Cooper

Review

Jonathan Green uses his art to paint his childhood world and images of a people immersed in Afro-American culture and island living. Over a hundred and eighty color images of Green's work represents everyday lives and regional celebrations in the Gullah area, providing a fine showcase of not only Green's talents, but the lives of a community. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Hardcover: 214 pages
• Publisher: Univ of South Carolina Pr (October 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570031452
• ISBN-13: 978-1570031458
• Product Dimensions: 12.4 x 10.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #653,496 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning imagery that evokes a timeless place..., August 24, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gullah Images: The Art of Jonathan Green (Hardcover)

...and captures the spirit of a people of African descent. Having seen Mr. Green's original canvasses, I can attest to the accuracy and quality of the color reproductions in this book - it is a true feast for the eyes as well as the soul. Every time I open this book (and I do often) it lifts my mood and fills my heart, and always, always, makes me smile - broadly. It is a must have book to have and hold and to gift to others.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a beautiful book, July 26, 2003

By 

William D. Tompkins (New York, New York USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gullah Images: The Art of Jonathan Green (Hardcover)

a beautiful book of green's work
if you are a fan of his artwork--this book is an excellent compilation in both presentation and accompanying text

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Alive with color and culture., November 30, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Gullah Images: The Art of Jonathan Green (Hardcover)

This is a perfect coffee table book. It is educational as well as asthetically pleasing.

Growing up in the North, my grandmother often took my sister and I back to South Carolina to experience our "roots". The flavors of the Gullah tradition (custome, food, language, religion) come alive in Jonathan Green's work.