Profiles

Laura James is a New-York-City-based professional artist and illustrator. Originally captivated by the Ethiopian Christian art form, her sacred work employs this ancient way of making icons and expands on the collection of stories traditionally painted in this style. She is pleased to help black people see themselves in their sacred texts, in African religions, and in Christianity, a place where racialized people have curiously been excluded in the West. To that end, James was delighted to illustrate The Book of the Gospels lectionary, published by Liturgy Training Publications in 2000. The book is used worldwide by numerous Christian denominations, placing her art at the forefront of the movement toward a more inclusive representation of biblical figures.