Know Thy Self

Artwork Details and Purchase Information
Original artwork is ink on 11 × 15 inch archival watercolor paper, framed and matted in a standard black frame
Giclée print is an 11 × 15 inch archival watercolor paper reproduction, framed and matted in a standard black frame, and part of a limited edition of 7
Originals, if available, and giclée prints may be purchased in person or directly at LakeemWilson.com
Orders ship within 5 to 7 business days
Local pickup can be scheduled after purchase
 
Know Thy Self
 
This illustration centers a solitary figure surrounded by books, each one stacked, opened, and layered like armor. The body is bare, unguarded, yet the posture is focused and intentional. Knowledge becomes both shield and mirror here. Titles and phrases emerge from the pages not as decoration, but as guiding principles, suggesting that learning is not passive but something carried, wrestled with, and lived through.
 
The act of reading in this piece is portrayed as a form of self survival. The figure is not escaping the world but preparing to face it. Faith, self awareness, belief, and purpose are all present, scattered across the pages as reminders passed down through generations. The ink lines remain restless, reinforcing the idea that understanding oneself is not a fixed destination but an ongoing process.
 
Know Thy Self speaks to the power of inner work in a world that often defines Black identity from the outside. This drawing honors the quiet discipline of reflection and the strength found in self knowledge. It is a portrait of becoming, where wisdom is earned through curiosity, patience, and the courage to look inward before moving forward.