Tim Rollins & Studio K.O.S.
American
In 1982, artist and educator Tim Rollins launched an after-school art program in the South Bronx, aimed at inspiring a group of his most committed students. This initiative evolved into a groundbreaking collective known as Tim Rollins and the Kids of Survival (K.O.S.). Through a unique, collaborative approach that blended literature, art, and personal storytelling, the group created powerful mixed-media works rooted in social commentary and education. Their process—known as “jamming”—involved reading texts aloud while members interpreted the material visually, painting, drawing, and altering book pages to reflect their own lived experiences. The resulting artwork has earned international acclaim and is now featured in over 120 museums and public collections, including the Museum of Modern Art, Tate Modern, and the Art Institute of Chicago.
