The Artist's Library: A Window into the Institute of Black Imagination

Discover how the library of Geoffrey Holder reflects the commitment of the Institute of Black Imagination through our "Lexicon of Values"

By The Institute of Black Imagination

Geoffrey Holder by Gjon MiliLIFE Photo Collection

Our values.

IBI's Lexicon of Values—Aesthetics, Alchemy, Archival Intelligence, Decentralized Blackness, Liberative Design, and Sanctuary—stems from themes in Geoffrey Holder’s library. These values shape IBI’s mission, bridging the archival wisdom of the books with contemporary dialogues.

Black Artist on Art: Volume 2The Institute of Black Imagination

Aesthetics.

Aesthetics in Holder’s library reveal the beauty and depth of Black creativity. Each book reflects IBI’s value of celebrating visual culture that transcends boundaries, honoring Black artistry and the power of storytelling through form and imagery.

Art and the Stage in the 20th Century: Painters and Sculptors Work for the Theater, From the collection of: The Institute of Black Imagination

The Hollywood Style, From the collection of: The Institute of Black Imagination

Nigeria in Costume, From the collection of: The Institute of Black Imagination

African Art: An Introduction, From the collection of: The Institute of Black Imagination

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Encyclodia de la DivinationThe Institute of Black Imagination

Alchemy.

Transformation is at the heart of Holder’s creative life. Through disciplines as varied as dance, painting, and theater, his library reveals the powerful alchemy that emerges from merging art forms, encapsulating IBI’s belief in the transformative potential of Black creativity.

Carnival: Myth and Cult, From the collection of: The Institute of Black Imagination

Mythology of the Americas, From the collection of: The Institute of Black Imagination

African Religions & Philosophy, From the collection of: The Institute of Black Imagination

God is Red, From the collection of: The Institute of Black Imagination

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Ebony Pictorial History of Black America: Volume III Civil Rights Movement to Black RevolutionThe Institute of Black Imagination

Archival intelligence.

In a world shaped by erasure, Archival Intelligence becomes a radical act. Holder’s library, exemplifies this dedication, preserving stories that affirm Black experiences and knowledge. It aligns deeply with IBI’s call to honor and protect these narratives.

National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City, From the collection of: The Institute of Black Imagination

Movie Monsters, From the collection of: The Institute of Black Imagination

Peoples and Cultures of Africa: An Anthropological Reader, From the collection of: The Institute of Black Imagination

The Horizon Book of Lost Worlds, From the collection of: The Institute of Black Imagination

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Trinidad & TobagoThe Institute of Black Imagination

Decentralized blackness.

Decentralized Blackness breaks boundaries, exploring Black identity outside the limitations of Western narrative. Holder’s collection embraces this idea, with works spanning continents, emphasizing the global multiplicity of Black experience.

Indigenous African Architecture, From the collection of: The Institute of Black Imagination

The Caribbean: A Journey with Pictures, From the collection of: The Institute of Black Imagination

The Living Arts of Nigeria, From the collection of: The Institute of Black Imagination

The Last of the Nuba, From the collection of: The Institute of Black Imagination

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The Ebony Book of Black AchievementThe Institute of Black Imagination

Liberative design.

Liberative Design is about creating spaces that defy constraint and uplift. Holder’s library includes visionary texts that reject convention, empowering artists and thinkers to imagine worlds free from restriction

Black Power and the Garvey Movement, From the collection of: The Institute of Black Imagination

Black Dimensions in Contemporary American Art, From the collection of: The Institute of Black Imagination

Pioneers in Protest, From the collection of: The Institute of Black Imagination

Prejudice and Discrimination: Can We Eliminate Them?, From the collection of: The Institute of Black Imagination

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Black WomanThe Institute of Black Imagination

Sanctuary.

In a world that demands resilience, Sanctuary represents refuge and restoration. Holder’s collection speaks to this value with books that offer moments of peace, reflection, and inner exploration—a sanctuary within the pages.

The Sky Clears: Poetry of the American Indians, From the collection of: The Institute of Black Imagination

A Street Car Named Desire, From the collection of: The Institute of Black Imagination

Letting Down My Hair: Two Years with the Love Rock Tribe; From Dawning to Downing of Aquarius, From the collection of: The Institute of Black Imagination

Modern Poetry from Africa, From the collection of: The Institute of Black Imagination

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Geoffrey Holder by Gjon MiliLIFE Photo Collection

Epilogue: the library as a living archive

Geoffrey Holder’s library is more than a collection; it is a living archive, a testament to an artist’s spirit and vision. It stands as an enduring source of inspiration, reflecting the values and aspirations of the Institute of Black Imagination.

Credits: All media

The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

The Institute of Black Imagination

LIFE Photo Collection

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