Forbidden Pages, She Was More Than A Name

In this mixed-media work on paper, letterpress and relief printing techniques and color pencil converge to form a layered portrait of Harriet Tubman through the powerful language of names. Bright geometric blocks, fragmented typography, and coded ISBN references act as visual echoes of her evolving identity. The work honors not just the historical figure, but the depth and multiplicity of a life marked by resistance, leadership, and love. By centering a story written for children and stripped from their reach, the piece confronts the erasure of truth and reclaims Tubman’s legacy as one that cannot—and should not—be silenced.

This is one of nine pieces in the Forbidden Pages Collection, inspired by Lesa Cline-Ransome’s Before She Was Harriet—a children’s book banned in Duval County, Florida, where it appeared second on a list of 176 censored titles. Geared toward young readers, the book tells Harriet Tubman’s story in reverse chronology, beginning with her later years and journeying back through her many roles: suffragist, nurse, conductor, daughter, and more.