CAM is thrilled to join up with Left Bank Books as they relaunch their reading group Read the Resistance for a special series inspired by the exhibition Stories of Resistance. Each month, a virtual discussion group will unpack the selected book through prompts and visual cues from artworks in the exhibition that inspired the book selection. 

June’s selection is Washington Black by Esi Edugyan. The novel tells the story of eleven-year-old George Washington Black, who escapes enslaved life in Barbados through the use of his drawing skills to gain access to working on a hot-air balloon headed for freedom. The book was selected in response to a series of paintings by Torkwase Dyson on view as part of Stories of Resistance, which employs shapes that give a sense of nature and the language of Black liberation strategies. The event is accompanied by the release of the Radio Resistance episode “Forms of Liberation,” featuring Dyson and scholar Geoff Ward.

You’re encouraged to participate even if you haven’t finished reading the book, or are planning to start! 

Books are available at CAM or Left Bank Books at our discounted reading group rate. Please email Shane at Shane.m@left-bank.com with any questions.