Abiola Makinde's Portfolio

ARCHIVAL RESEARCH PROCESS

The Northwestern University Collection “Pat Patrick Collection of Sun Ra Materials, 1957-1979,” contains the ephemera, sermons and writings of the influential jazz musician Sun Ra. Patrick was a musician in his own right and a long standing member of Sun Ra’s orchestra as well as being influenced and involved in Sun Ra’s spiritual beliefs and outlook on life.

ARCHIVE

MIXED MEDIA

ARTIST STATEMENT

GUIDING QUESTIONS

Jazz as a form of Black expression historically set its roots in Chicago’s culturally rich Bronzeville district.

By creating the artwork from the perspective of Laurdine Kenneth "Pat" Patrick Jr., this work aims to map Bronzeville spaces that serve as pillars in what propelled Chicago Jazz both architecturally and culturally. This artwork engages the ‘Pat Patrick Collection of Sun Ra Materials’ at Northwestern University and several online archival sources.

What is a monument?
Who and what is traditionally selected to be monumentalized?
How can relationships and spaces be remembered and not lost to development?

LAURDINE KENNETH “PAT PATRICK” JR

This song is called...A Jazzy Bronzeville Night ft. Pat Patrick

Install process , Fall 2024

INSTALLATION

Image of Pat Patrick and Thelonious Monk at Corso N.Y.C., June 21, 1970, NU Collections

During the peak of the "Great Migration," the population of the area increased dramatically when thousands of African-Americans fled the oppression of the south and emigrated to Chicago in search of industrial jobs.

First known as the “Black Belt.” Later called “Black Metropolis,” or “Bronzeville,” the area became a parallel and vibrant city unto itself, now famous for its rich cultural heritage. The name, "Black Metropolis," became firmly established with the publication of a 1945 sociological study of the same title. In later years the area was referred to as "Bronzeville," a term attributed to an editor at the Chicago Bee.

BRONZEVILLE

Custom map to reflect Pat Patrick's family home in relation to music locations he visited and what these spaces have evolved to be at present day

*not all represented

In creating a spatial relationship across drawing, parallel projection and archival imagery, mental engagement from viewers is encouraged by the above supporting text for context about Bronzeville as well as what can be inferred by color combinations and the history reflected in the images. The two maps; one being a large scale drawing and the opposite wall with the projected map, invites viewers to spend a little extra time with the "past and present" dichotomy proposed by this monument.

ACCOMPANYING IMAGES

DRAWING