Wise Words

This evocative painting by Lakeem Wilson, titled Wise Words (2025), offers a profound meditation on faith, literacy, and the transmission of values within the Black community. The composition centers around a vintage blue typewriter, where a sheet of paper reads “THE WORD OF GOD” in bold red letters—both a literal message and a symbolic declaration. Surrounding the typewriter are three young boys, attentively gathered and leaning in, their posture echoing reverence and curiosity.
Painted in rich, earthy tones with expressive brushwork, the figures appear fully absorbed, not only by the machine but by the sacred meaning it conveys. The backdrop features the phrase “WISE WORDS” in bold blue letters, reinforcing the theme of spiritual and intellectual nourishment. Above the boys, a crown motif—reminiscent of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s iconic symbol—adds a layer of dignity and divine inheritance to the scene.
Wilson’s work blends elements of Black cultural heritage, biblical symbolism, and artistic homage to underscore the idea that wisdom, especially spiritual wisdom, is a legacy passed down through attention, study, and shared experience. Wise Words stands as a visual sermon on the transformative power of scripture and mentorship in the lives of young Black boys.