Illustrated by
Marshall, Kerry James, American, born 1955
Written by
Marshall, Kerry James, American, born 1955
Published by
Carnegie Museum of Art, American, founded 1895
Date
1999-2000
Medium
ink on paper (fiber product)
Dimensions
H x W (closed): 17 3/16 × 11 1/2 in. (43.7 × 29.2 cm)
Description
This is an issue of the comic book “RythmMastr: Every Beat of My Heart" formed out of two newsprint sheets folded together to create an eight-page unbound booklet. The top sheet (a) cover page has a single scene in the top two-thirds of the image, and an image gallery of eight characters in the bottom third. The top image depicts an urban scene of an apartment building in the process of being knocked down by a wrecking ball. There is vertical and horizontal text within and next to the wrecking ball that reads “RYTHM / MASTR.” The upper stories are already exposed, showing one room with the silhouette of a woman and child in it. Flying up to intercept the swing wrecking ball is a figure in a red robe and headdress, holding a golden machete-type objects in his hand. Below on the ground in the forefront of the scene is a man partially twisted away from the viewer wearing a red shirt, green pants, and a grey kufi. He is playing a large traditional drum slung over his shoulder on a strap as he gazes up at the flying figure. Next to the man is another figure wearing a kente-type pattern cloth wrapped around him. He carries a tall gold staff in his right hand. In the bottom right corner of the image is a white rectangle with text that reads “Story and Pictures / K.J. MARSHALL / This project was / generously supported / for the 1999/2000 / Carnegie International, / by / Susan and Lewis Manilow / c 1999/2000 /Kerry James Marshall.” The bottom third of the page has large text in the lower left corner that reads “EVERY / BEAT / of / MY / HEART.” Next to the text is a gallery of eight squares, four on top and four on bottom, each with a portrait of a character and their name written vertically. The story continues on the interior pages of the booklet, depicting an SUV crash and the aftermath with emergency response and news coverage.
The last page of the booklet features four panels. The top two show a car chase from above. the third panel depicts two men in the front seat of a car having a dialogue. The last panel on the page shows a large bulge in the street. There is a small rectangle in the upper left corner with text that reads "Suddenly, the street..."
Place made
United States, North and Central America
Classification
Visual Arts
Memorabilia and Ephemera - Other
Type
comics
Topic
Art
Comics and graphic novels
Design
Graphic design
Social reform
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2020.57.3.1ab
Restrictions & Rights
© Kerry James Marshall
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd560a6611a-5963-4da8-b184-cbfe88b3854b

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

Share this page