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    ShaDawn Battle

    Still from _Footwork Saved My Life Film_, courtesy of ShaDawn Battle and Kameron Davis_Crystal in Front of Train
    ShaDawn
    Meet 2023-2024 Artist as Instigator ShaDawn “Boobie” Battle

    ShaDawn “Boobie” Battle is a multidisciplinary artist, researcher, activist, and educator whose work spans mediums including documentary films, performances, and public talks. ShaDawn is currently directing and producing a docuseries titled “Footwork Saved My Life: The Evolution of Chicago Footwork.” A South Side of Chicago native, Battle now splits her time between Cincinnati and Chicago. She is an Assistant Professor of Critical Ethnic and Black Studies at Xavier University.

    Place, Space, Werkz

    For her residency, ShaDawn is creating, Place, Space, Werkz, a multi-dimensional project that weaves together oral histories and scholarship about the evolution of Chicago Footwork dance through workshops, creative placemaking, and performances that examine the art form in relation to oppressive systems, practices, and structures.

    I want my work to always be tethered to the material realities of culture and the city I come from.

    ShaDawn Battle

    ShaDawn was interviewed by Block Club Chicago, along with our Associate Director Tiff Beatty. In the article, journalist Atavia Reed writes, “Battle will use the year-long residency at the museum to create Place, Space, and Werkz, a three-phase project involving educational workshops, site visits, archival records from the museum and creative expression to examine the Chicago Footwork dance community as it relates to social inequities and oppressive systems.” Read the full article. ShaDawn also sat down with WBEZ to discuss what Chicago Footwork can teach us about public housing communities. Listen to the full segment!

    CornerStoreCoop.com-Footwork-Saved-My-Life-T-Shirt
    Footwork saved my life shirt

    This limited edition t-shirt is stylish, comfortable, and ready to hit the dance floor! As a part of our collaboration with the Corner Store Co-op’s partnership with us, we’re so excited that this shirt is available for pre-order now. Corner Store Co-op partners with youth, artists, designers, and entrepreneurs from public housing communities to offer custom clothing, books, handmade accessories, and limited edition zines.

    Buy today

    How it started

    ShaDawn kicked off her residency with an online artist talk. During the event, ShaDawn shared examples of her past work as well as her vision for her residency. Members of the Chicago Footwork community, including an intergenerational group of dancers, choreographers and DJ’s from across the Chicagoland area chimed in with their own musings, memories, and stories.

    Still from _Footwork Saved My Life Film_, courtesy of ShaDawn Battle and Kameron Davis_Chicago Through the Fence
    Still from _Footwork Saved My Life Film_, courtesy of ShaDawn Battle and Kameron Davis_Crystal in Front of Train
    Still from _Footwork Saved My Life Film_, courtesy of ShaDawn Battle and Kameron Davis_Bernard and Mom
    Still from _Footwork Saved My Life Film_, courtesy of ShaDawn Battle and Kameron Davis_Dancing in Front of Graffiti Wall in Austin neighborhoodpng
    Still from _Footwork Saved My Life Film_, courtesy of ShaDawn Battle and Kameron Davis_Aerial View of Circle
    Still from _Footwork Saved My Life Film_, courtesy of ShaDawn Battle and Kameron Davis_Three Dancers outside Altgeld Gardens public housing.
    Still from _Footwork Saved My Life Film_, courtesy of ShaDawn Battle and Kameron Davis_Stovall
    Still from _Footwork Saved My Life Film_, courtesy of ShaDawn Battle and Kameron Davis_Havoc Picnic Girl in Blue Jersey
    Still from _Footwork Saved My Life Film_, courtesy of ShaDawn Battle and Kameron Davis_Goldrat
    Still from _Footwork Saved My Life Film_, courtesy of ShaDawn Battle and Kameron Davis_Dancing on Toes