The Kids are Jammin’
by Taryn Plumb
When
Tim Rollins arrived in the Bronx as a 26-year-old in the early ‘80s,
it was, as he describes, “on fire” — literally, of course, due
to the conflagrations that consumed the borough for an entire decade,
but also culturally. It was an electric, inspiring and frightening
backdrop for what would ultimately become his life’s work.
After
growing up in rural Maine and attending the University of Maine in
Augusta, he was recruited to “the toughest ghetto in America,” as
he described it, to develop a curriculum fusing art, reading and
writing for “at risk” youth.
What
eventually resulted was the group “Kids of Survival” (K.O.S.),
which over time morphed into a traveling workshop that has produced
art for prestigious museums and exhibits all over the world. This
fall, Tim Rollins and K.O.S. are bringing their unique and inspiring
perspective, process and story to the Portland Museum of Art (PMA) in
two special ways.
The
first: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” — a 13’ x 34’ work
acquired by the PMA that will find a permanent home in the museum’s
Selma Wolf Black Great Hall — will ultimately serve as a welcome
for all visitors as they enter. The second: “Unbound: Tim Rollins
and K.O.S.,” a special exhibition composed of works inspired by
classic literature, poetry and music.
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