David C. Driskell: Artist and Scholar
*Starred Review* Driskell received no formal art training in either the one-room schoolhouse or the segregated high school he attended in North Carolina, but soon after he entered Howard University in 1949, his exceptional and versatile creativity began to flower. Driskell quickly set the foundation for a remarkably productive and influential life as an artist, educator, historian, curator, and humanitarian. In the first full inquiry into Driskell's life and work, art historian McGee analyzes with great empathy Driskell's philosophical struggles as he sought to both express his feelings about racial strife in America and stay true to his art. Influenced by Jack Levine, Romare Bearden, and a profound immersion in African art, Driskell is a master synthesizer, combining tradition with innovation in gloriously textured, color-saturated works of dazzling energy that embody both "introspection and playfulness." An ardent gardener, Driskell has turned to nature for inspiration, especially trees, and believes that "art is both palliative and priestly." With an abundance of incandescent reproductions of Driskell's searching and vital work, photographs documenting his life, and multifaceted and involving commentary, this unprecedented volume extends the reach of a great artist and tireless arts advocate.Donna SeamanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved