WHAT IS JAWNISM?
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Jawnism is an art movement rooted in Philadelphia culture, autobiographical memory, and lived experience. Through mixed-media collage and painting, everyday objects, neighborhood moments, family, and popular culture became visual narrative about identity, community, and memory.
Jawnism is an art movement I created to explore personal memories, Philadelphia culture, and the everyday experiences that shaped my identity. |
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HOW JAWNISM BEGAN?
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Jawnism is an art movement I created to explore personal memories, Philadelphia culture, and the everyday experiences that shaped my identity.
The idea for Jawnism began during a family vacation to Martha’s Vineyard. While there, I met a friend, who grew up in my old neighborhood in Southwest Philadelphia. We shared stories about our childhood experiences, the lessons we learned, and how growing up in Philadelphia influenced the people we eventually became. That conversation caused me to reflect more deeply on my own journey as an artist and storyteller. When I returned home, I couldn't wait to get back into the studio. I began revisiting old paintings and collages with fresh eyes and new energy. Instead of simply remembering my past, I wanted to transform those memories into visual narratives. From that experience, Jawnism was born. |
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THE LANGUAGE OF JAWNISM
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Jawnism uses the visual language of Philadelphia through its people, places, sounds, tastes, and everyday objects. Jawnism incorporates personal materials such as old bus and train schedules, family photographs, and pages from vintage Vibe and Hip-Hop magazines. These elements allow reconstruct memories and honor the people, places, and cultural moments that have shaped his identity.
The word jawn is deeply connected to Philadelphia. It is a versatile word that can represent a person, place, thing, or experience. I use that same openness in my artwork. Through Jawnism, ordinary objects and experiences become symbols of memory and identity. SEPTA rides, Philadelphia pretzels, childhood snacks, playgrounds, music, family gatherings, school trips, popular culture, and neighborhood experiences become starting points for larger stories. Mixed medium combines personal photographs, collage, acrylic paint, cultural references, and memory. Some images remain clear while others become hazy, fragmented, or partially hidden—similar to the way we remember our past. Jawnism allows me to look backward while continuing to move forward. The works are not simply about nostalgia. They are about understanding how the people, places, objects, and experiences of my past continue to shape who I am today. Each mixed media and painting is a jawn. Each jawn carries a story. Together, those stories create a visual autobiography. |
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JAWNISM IN THE ARTWORK
CHAD CORTEZ EVERETT • VISUAL ARTIST •JAWNISM