Watch: Artist Conversation with Curlee Raven Holton and Dr. Ashley Jordan

Artist Conversation with Curlee Raven Holton and Dr. Ashley Jordan with the Historical Society of Pennsylvania (HSP)

June 27, 2025

Artist Curlee Raven Holton and Dr. Ashley Jordan (CEO, African American Museum in Philadelphia) explored the intersection of art, history, and social justice. Holton serves as HSP's 2025 Artist in Residence. His new artist book, The Sublime Narrative of Self Emancipation, draws from HSP’s abolitionist collections and the rich traditions of Black spirituals. This dialogue highlighted the enduring legacy of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society and Holton’s creative response to archival stories of resistance, resilience, and liberation that continue to shape our understanding of freedom and community today.

READ MORE: Artist Curlee Raven Holton creates artist book for HSP’s Artist in Residency program

Curlee Raven Holton, founder and master printmaker of Raven Fine Art Editions, served as HSP's 2025 Artist in Residence. His new artist book, The Sublime Narrative of Self-Emancipation, draws from HSP’s abolitionist collections and the rich traditions of Black spirituals in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society (PAS). 

Sublime Narrative of Self-Emancipation, artist book, Paper, Rives BFK 100% rag, 15 x 9 in (closed) 37 x 9 in (open) 

Holton's residency at the Historical Society involved looking at many collections, primarily those of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society Papers (PAS). These documents provided inspiration for Holton to explore the narrative of self-empowerment as demonstrated by enslaved Africans and their free brethren to deploy strategies of self-liberation. For example, examples of both Black literacy and Underground Railroad routes appear as images in the book. Furthermore, each page includes lyrics from a traditional Spiritual to offer narrative structure to the book and to represent the deep spiritual, intellectual, and moral worth of those self-emancipators.

“I chose to express this personal and collective redemptive act of self-liberation with eight images that represent the story of self-emancipation of the African American slave and a context for their humanity, creativity, and resilience,” Holton explains. In addition, images of HSP’s documents appear on translucent vellum interleafed between the eight prints and spirituals.