I cannot begin to express what an honor this is to present my work and with what a heavy heart I do so.
View it here: https://www.behance.net/gallery/167938201/Bear-Me-Into-Freedom-Historical-Restoration
On Wednesday, May 12, 2021, Author Jeffrey C. McGuiness hired me to restore historical documents; the focus centric to restore documents for legibility and readability without removing the original typesetting aesthetic of olde; to restore but maintain the inked look. I also was commissioned to redraw and paint from newspaper clippings, using every skill in my wheelhouse I've ever trained and practiced for.
This project, as a whole, meant the world to me; deeply. As an American man and proud uncle, there's nothing more important that telling our story; the real one. This is American history. The story of a slave who dared to challenge. Spoke truth to power. I had a chance and the profound honor to help bring his story, his life and all around him to the forefront. Telling an American legend's tale. But, the documents, photos and calligraphy was damaged and needed to be restored.
As I worked, I found tears pouring down when I realized what words I was restoring. The horror of the truth is a heavy burden, but one we must lift to the light. I could only imagine the immense amount of suffering him and his must have endured and died for. It wasn't just a job, this was an honor like nothing else in my life. As not just a consummate professional, but a son of this soil, it's my duty to tell his truth. This was painful. This was tearing my heart wide open. This was needed in every way possible.
This is the result of my work, along with a small army of people in tandem. A confluence of individuals who poured time, tears and effort into this. I beckon you and humbly ask with alacrity you allow the truth to be told. A slave had the bravery to step into waters uncharted, so please respect his and their efforts by giving this a chance.
- Jarrod Vandenberg