Chroma Zone Mural Artist 2021
Jordan M. Hamilton
Jordan M. Hamilton (b.1989) ushered into this realm by two artists, Jordan’s interest in art began early as a child. He started writing (graffiti) in 2004. Graffiti art propelled him into an artistic practice, mural making & eventually branching into practices as a studio artist, exploring painting, sculpture, collage, installation, digital arts, puppetry, performance, adornment & mixed media. Since 2005, Jordan has contributed to over 20 community murals, working as a lead artist on many. His work has been featured in a number of exhibitions, streets & stages throughout the Twin Cities. Jordan’s work is deeply woven with community, informed through ancestry & influenced by spirit, with an affinity for the abstract. Infinite aspects.
About his BANG IT! Mural:
In this mural, Jordan spells out SANKOFA (pronounced SAHN-koh-fah), from the Akan Twi and Fante languages of Ghana, that translates to "retrieve" (or literally "go back and get"); It also refers to the Bono Adinkra symbol represented either with a stylized heart shape or by a bird with its head turned backwards while its feet face forward carrying a precious egg in its mouth.
Sankofa is often associated with the proverb, “Se wo were fi na wosankofa a yenkyi," or “Sankofa w’onkyir” which translates as: "It is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten." It implores for Africans to reach back into ancient history for traditions and customs that have been left behind.
The sankofa bird appears frequently in traditional Akan art, and has also been adopted as an important symbol in an African-American and African Diaspora context to represent the need to reflect on the past to build a successful future. It is one of the most widely dispersed adinkra symbols, appearing in modern jewelry, tattoos, and clothing.
Jordan writes, “SANKOFA - GO BACK AND GET IT. RETURNING TO THE ROOTS. WHAT TRADITIONS AND WISDOM DO WE NEED TO RELEARN; RECALL FROM OUR ORIGINS, ANCESTRY; PAST IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD. MORE FREELY & POWERFULLY.”
Connect
Featured in the 2021 BANG IT! Mural Meet curated by Peyton Scott Russell of House of Daskarone and SPRAYFINGER, an internationally recognized Minnesota artist whose own work reflects over three decades of weaving graffiti with fine arts.
Mural Title
Sankofa: Mutable Stability
BANG IT! Mural Meet, 2021
Mural Location
Urban Growler Brewing Co (semi trailer)
2325 Endicott St, Saint Paul, MN 55114
Image & Video Credit
Chroma Zone is grateful for the many professional photographers and videographers who have donated their time and talent to document Chroma Zone through the years. These include Jon Reynolds, Alex Olson, Ne Dah Ness Greene, Alex Prince and Wyatt Johnson.