Dr. ShaDawn “Boobie” Battle
Dr. ShaDawn “Boobie” Battle was selected from a competitive pool of 86 national applicants. A multidisciplinary artist, researcher, activist, and educator whose work spans mediums including documentary films, performances, and public talks, Battle was selected from a large and competitive pool of nationwide applicants. Her creative practice is rooted in transformative justice and creating platforms for the most marginalized communities to engage in truth-telling practices.
As the museum’s fifth Artist as Instigator, Battle will leverage the residency to develop, and create a new work, “Place, Space, and Werkz” (working title), 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.
“The denial of public and affordable housing, and the dispossession of space, seen all over the world today—especially in Chicago—continues to strip marginalized groups of their humanity, a true sense of freedom in this land, and an ability to self-actualize. The National Public Housing Museum's cultural, historical, and public-policy-oriented approach to this work is what draws me as an artist-activist to this collaborative opportunity.”
-Dr. ShaDawn “Boobie” Battle
Spring 2024 Update
Our Artist as Instigator Dr. ShaDawn “Boobie” Battle is well at work on her project Place, Space, Werkz. In February, we hosted the first workshop where young footwork artists from Kuumba Lynx learned about No-Knock Warrants through the history of Chairman Fred Hampton, taught by Chairman Fred Hampton Jr. and Anjanette Young’s story of how No-Knock Warrants tragically affected her one night and continues to impact her life.
In March, we hosted the second workshop where young people learned about environmental racism through a workshop with Adella Bass of People for Community Recovery and other residents of Altgeld Gardens who have dealt with generations of health trauma from being surrounded by landfills and mishandled by unaccountable city and federal government agencies.
The next Place, Space, Werkz workshop will be in conversation with our 2021 Artist-as-Instigator, Tonika Lewis Johnson, who will teach the history of unjust Land Sale Contracts.
All of these workshops will be channeled into a showcase where the youth will use what they have learned to battle these injustices through the radical and transformative power of Chicago Footwork. Stay tuned and follow @placespacewerkz on Instagram to learn more.
Fall 2023 Update
In mid-November, 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. Watch ShaDawn’s artist talk today!
ShaDawn was also busy with press interviews! Block Club Chicago interviewed ShaDawn and our Associate Director Tiff Beatty and wrote, “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!
Footwork Saved My Life Shirt Available for Pre-Order!
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. The Corner Store Co-op partners with youth, artists, designers, and entrepreneurs from public housing communities to bring you custom clothing, books, handmade accessories, and limited edition zines.
This t-shirt is printed by Davidson Printing, a Black-owned printing company based in South Holland, IL. Shirts are printed on Bella + Canvas 3001 Jersey T-Shirt, which is comfortable and stylish.
Use code HOLIDAY20 to save 20% off your purchase now through December 22, 2023. Shop now!
