Radical Futures
- Curators: Juarez Hawkins with TRACE, Teens Re-Imagining Art, Community & Environment
Conversation Lead: Paola Aguirre, artist and founder of Borderless Studio
About this mini-exhibition
What is “radical”? Participants in this conversation explored how radicalism encompasses the need for inclusion and connection—often to something greater than the individual—as well as a desire to reveal long-hidden truths. They examined the role of the radical as both revolutionary and visionary, an artist creating light out of darkness. Depictions of young people, especially youth of color, are often negative. These portrayals obscure the truth about their lives: keen intelligence, awareness, and a need to be seen in a more positive light. Radical Futures shares the stories of Chicago youth who are both revolutionary and visionary, actively working to make a meaningful impact on their communities.
The objects on display are signifiers of memory. Some invoke narratives of elders and ancestors, others speak to the wonder of creativity. Collectively, they remind us of our shared humanity.
—Juarez Hawkins with TRACE, Teens Re-Imagining Art, Community & Environment
About this page
Below are the collectors’ words—unedited—about their objects.
Person Name: Jane Andrews
Object Name: Gold coin
Materials: Gold Dimensions: 1 × 1 × 1in.
Provenance: My mother actually found the coin as she was walking down the street.
- Jane Andrews, Park Manor
Gold coin
“I always keep it in my wallet and use it as a good luck charm.”
My mother gave it to me when she came home and told me not to lose it.
I selected this item, because jewelry was a risk that I did not want to take. Also, I wanted to pick something that I already kept on me.
Person Name: Ivan Salazar Object Name: Blue pen by Pentel Materials: Steel Dimensions: 6 × 6 × 0.5in.
Provenance: I actually borrowed it from my brother but never gave it back.
- Ivan Salazar, Chatham
Blue pen by Pentel
“I remember drawing and writing a poem about the relationship between my dad and I. It has a lot of emotional and spiritual value that has made me explore more about myself and how I relate to people in my surroundings.”
[The writing] then transpired into making different poems about our relationship, which then led to a whole book dedicated to that.
It has helped me through a lot in terms releasing emotions. Also just documenting the day to day of my own life, which I can reflect on in a later date.
Person Name: Marcus Davis Object Name: Fork bracelet with jade, 2014 Materials: Aluminum fork, jade stone Dimensions: 6 × 8 × 1in.
Provenance: Purchased from an artist at African Fest in Washington Park.
- Marcus Davis, East Garfield Park
Fork bracelet with jade, 2014
“It reminds me of a time in my life where rent was cheap, all my friends lived close by, and summers were about being young, Black, and exceptional.”
I’m a big fan of repurposing. To take a mundane fork and envision a piece of jewelry is a testament to the power of imagination. I’m also prone to losing jewelry, so it’s a personal accomplishment it remains in my possession.
My accessories are how I express my individuality.
Person Name: Aaliyah Sargent Object Name: Grandmother's key Materials: Brass Dimensions: 2 × 2 × 1in.
Provenance: I got this object from my grandmother. It was my great grandmother's.
- Aaliyah Sargent, Washington Heights
Grandmother’s key
“This is a spare key to my great grandmother’s ‘secret’ box. It’s meaningful because I have never met my great grandmother, but this is something that is part of her.”
I felt like this is one of the few things I have a personal connection too.
This is a spare key. My grandmother ha[s] the regular one. When her times come, she will give that one to me as well.
Person Name: Jon Veal Object Name: Sip Maker: Theaster Gates Studio Materials: Clay Dimensions: 2 × 2 × 3in.
Provenance: I got this object on the South Side at the Theaster Gates studio.
- Jon Veal, Humboldt Park
Sip by Theaster Gates Studio, 2015
“I was a young artist, and I got this object as a gift from helping set up a party for the artist’s practice. It represents the beginning of my journey and the generosity that I try to introduce into everything I do.”
Person Name: Jordan Campbell Object Name: Painter's palette Materials: Wood and acrylic paint
Dimensions: 0.5 × 22 × 8in.
Provenance: Michael's art store
- Jordan Campbell, Kenwood
Painter’s palette
“This object has been a tool of encouragement.”
This palette represents my hidden interest in painting.
I love to paint and painting inspires all of my practices as a multi-disciplinary artist.
Featured images
Person Name: Grace Lul Object Name: Cotton headwrap Materials: Steel Dimensions: 24 × 24 × 12in.
Provenance: Purchased from a company called Wrap Life
- Grace Lul, Logan Square
Cotton headwrap
“It represents the ivory-and-black bracelets my family and tribe used to make, and still make to this day, in South Sudan. It is something I value and represents who I am and my family.”
It reminds me of the legacy of my family and country despite being removed from it as an immigrant.
Featured images
Person Name: Ari Antos (MCA TCA member) Object Name: Crusty bug collection Materials: Cicadas and bees Dimensions: 0.5 × 1.75 × 0.33in.
- Ari Antos (MCA TCA member), Avondale
Crusty bug collection
“If my collection were a person I would describe it with cool hair, loud and screechy, with a sexy and muscular body—and crunchy.”
If there were one word to describe this object it would be Intricate.
Featured images
Person Name: Vanessa Stokes Object Name: Wedding Day Maker: Chester Sheard Materials: Silver gelatin Dimensions: 8 × 0 × 10in.
Provenance: In a box of my father's images
- Vanessa Stokes, Austin
Wedding Day by Chester Sheard, 1967
“This is an image of my parents’ wedding day. I am a collector of images and stories, and I love the stories of my family.”
This object is meaningful to me because it’s my family’s.
Featured images
Person Name: Okicize Beauvais Object Name: Special Maker: My two friends Materials: Steel Dimensions: 0.5 × 1.5 × 1.5in.
Provenance: I bought the box but the teeth are from two of my friends
- Okicize Beauvais (MCA TCA Member), Humboldt Park
Special by my two friends, 2008
“Having this object makes me feel loved and appreciated—that two people I really care about gifted me something that is close to them.”
[This object is meaningful] because it comes from two people I really appreciate and it was a gift.
[This reflects my personal, cultural, and societal values] because I genuinely enjoy collecting small boxes and this is one of my most important ones.