UW–Madison’s Jerry Jordan, an academic and multicultural advisor with the School of Education, was featured recently on Wisconsin Life, an award-winning co-production of Wisconsin Public Radio and PBS Wisconsin that celebrates what makes Wisconsin unique through the diverse stories of its people.
In addition to his role in the School of Education, Jordan is also a painter whose portraits celebrate the Black experience. In the episode, he shares his work as an artist.
Jordan’s subjects are often heroes of African American history like the civil rights leader John Lewis, author James Baldwin, and aviator Bessie Coleman. Even in his non-historical work, he often blends the heroic with the human, including elements such as suits of armor or swords. He often places his subjects in open fields or standing in water symbolizing freedom, memory, or healing.
Jordan also discusses in the episode his recent ventures into children’s literature, illustrating books on Ida B. Wells and John Lewis. He views this as a chance to tell stories he never heard as a child.
“When I was a kid, I was not exposed to this. I knew nothing about African American history,” says Jordan. “When I’m doing these paintings, I want the little kid, regardless of color, to look at it, get lost in the book.”
For more on Jerry Jordan’s work and story, watch the full feature on Wisconsin Life.