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Jamea Richmond-Edwards is an interdisciplinary artist whose work often deals with representations of Black womanhood. She has exhibited nationally and internationally, including at the Delaware Art Museum, California African American Museum, and Kravets Wehby Gallery. When she was approached to create the cover art for Purple Rising — a book celebrating the 40-year legacy of author Alice Walker’s iconic novel The Color Purple and its subsequent iterations — Richmond-Edwards saw it as an opportunity to pay tribute to a story that has influenced and inspired her since childhood. “Honestly,” she said, “I felt like I’d been patiently waiting for this opportunity.”

“My main challenge,” Richmond-Edwards explained, “was finding a way, with a single image, to represent the full breadth of The Color Purple’s impact, not just as a novel, but also as a stage musical, two films, and as an omnipresent cultural touchstone. As I began depicting these characters – Celie, Shug and Sofia – I could feel their spirit, and I was no longer daunted by the scope of my task. I was reminded that our imagination’s highest power is its capacity to build entire worlds, piece by piece. That is the true gift of Alice Walker.”

Learn more about Jamea’s work at @jamearichmondedwards

Learn more about The Color Purple movie soundtrack.

Purchase a copy of Purple Rising.