Celebrated visual artist Harmonia Rosales, known for her Afrocentric reimaginings of classical Western art, has released her first book, Chronicles of Ori: An African Epic.
Book reviewers describe the new book as a powerful narrative and visual celebration of African mythology and Black identity. The hardcover title, to be published October 14, 2025, is already generating buzz among art lovers, scholars, and readers eager to explore culturally rich storytelling paired with breathtaking imagery.
Rosales’s debut weaves together ancient stories of Orishas—divine spirits from Yoruba belief systems—with themes of resistance, colonialism, and the enduring power of destiny.
Chronicles of Ori takes readers on a sweeping journey from the birth of the universe to the trials of modern history, focusing on the spiritual and cultural ties between deities and mortals.
The book features an epic narrative anchored by key figures like Oduduwa, the founder of Yorubaland; Eve, a young heroine determined to restore her people’s dignity; and supernatural forces—both protective and destructive—that shape the fate of humanity. At its core, the book explores the sacred connection between humans and their Ori, the Yoruba concept of divine purpose.
Each story is brought to life by Rosales’s striking paintings, which have earned her acclaim for challenging Eurocentric art traditions. Her work centers Black women in empowered, divine roles, offering a counter-narrative to historical artistic depictions that idealize white supremacy and subjugate feminine power.
In a post shared by Dope Black Art®, a platform that champions culture through visual art, Rosales’s Chronicles of Ori was praised as “a journey you won’t want to miss,” highlighting its blend of myth, art, and historical reflection.
Rosales’s artistic career has long centered on elevating the African diaspora through reinterpreting Renaissance-style compositions with Black figures. With Chronicles of Ori, she brings that same vision to literature—redefining beauty, legacy, and identity on her own terms.
For more information and to view her artwork, visit www.harmoniarosales.art.
