James Jankowiak live-chalked an 8-foot abstract cupcake at Chicago’s Pioneer Court on Saturday, July 11, a deeply personal tribute to his cousin who died of cancer in 2015. The artwork is part of the City of Hope Cancer Center‘s “Artistic Expressions of Hope” initiative, which invited eight Chicago artists to create vinyl installations honoring the strength and resilience of those impacted by cancer.
Jankowiak has commissioned artwork for Union Station Transit Center, the Illinois Holocaust Museum’s Family Youth Center entrance, and a paint installation titled “Our Collective Catalog” at the West Lawn Chicago Public Library.
He has always been an artist. A particular moment that transformed him as a young person was his time as a graffiti writer in Pilsen during the 1980s. A group of community activists facilitated meetings with young artists, giving them studio space supplied with canvas and paint.
For Jankowiak, the studio became a safe space. He considered the community activists mentors, heroes, and the coolest adults he knew at the time.
“Those adults were not judging us,” Jankowiak said. “They made us feel like real artists.”
Because of them, Jankowiak became an educator and now teaches art at Hancock High School through programs like After-School Matters.
The partnership resonated with Jankowiak. He has family and friends who were cancer fighters and survivors.
Credit: Alexis Bocanegra / Southwest Regional Publishing
When asked to create a vinyl chalk artwork for the “Artistic Expressions of Hope” initiative, Jankowiak recalled feeling overwhelmed with memories of loved ones who fought, survived, and died of cancer.
“It’s the gravity of the task,” he said. “I knew they were asking me because they believed my work could alleviate stress, anxiety, and bring joy into someone’s life. Not just the people fighting cancer but also their families and friends.”
The power of art to heal has always been central to Jankowiak’s practice. It’s why he creates and shares his work.
“It felt like the universe was bringing me into this position,” he said.
City of Hope asked the artists to create artwork that was universal in nature and strongly associated with a life event — a person who may no longer be here.
The cupcake represents birthdays and Jankowiak’s cousin, whose birthday is close to July 11. She died in 2015, and every July, Jankowiak thinks about her differently.
The idea came from his 7-year-old niece’s recent birthday party, which featured cupcakes instead of cake.
“Cupcakes are individual; people get many and pass them around,” Jankowiak said. “But they represent a memory. It’s a neat association: cupcakes and birthdays. Birthdays are an important day to remember loved ones who may have succumbed to cancer.”
Jankowiak does not title his work unless necessary. When he does, he tends to use song titles. He listens to music that associates with the art he’s working on, and sometimes the art incorporates a particular song or piece he’s been listening to during the process.
For the City of Hope project, Jankowiak has been listening to jazz, specifically American jazz pianist Jason Moran.
City of Hope believes art is an important component of healing. The artists were asked to work on vinyl rather than directly chalk the sidewalk so the art can be preserved.
All paintings by the artists will be displayed at one of three City of Hope hospitals in Chicago or at partner facilities.
“To me, the coolest thing about this entire project is that this artwork will actually live on and hopefully bring joy to a lot of other people down the line, and forever,” Jankowiak said.