Nomadic Studio was also in part the 15th anniversary of Stockyard Institute, so it made perfect sense to include a call back in the exhibit. Jim Duignan shot these ten large photographs of the Back of the Yards neighborhood where the Stockyard Institute began in 1995. Fittingly, “Back of the Yards” was titular for both this artwork as well as the entire month.
To quote Jim: “These photos of structures identify sites of early work, educational enterprises and gathering spots with youth, artists and residents during the 1990s. They also depict the architectural dividing lines at St. Joseph’s Church and Wood Street slightly west where gang rivalries determined Stockyard’s reach from the corner of 48th and Damen.
Included are the Bo Packing building and the original Stockyard bank, an image of many pieces, the St. Michael’s community center and church where the San Miguel School began and the abandoned Slovak Elementary School at 4721 S. Damen that became headquarters for all of Stockyard Institute’s community, artistic and pedagogical operations.”
Faiz
