ROLIN PETTWAY, JR.
(Black American, b. 1983)
313-623-7195
=
EDUCATION
2015: MBA, Indiana University - Kelley School of Business
2007: MS Electrical Engineering, Purdue University
2005: BS Electrical Engineering, Purdue University
2000-2003: Mathematics, Bethune-Cookman College
=
EXHIBITIONS
2019: “ART AT THE BANK [a collection of works by rolin.]” (Solo, 25 works), LevelOne Bank, Ferndale, MI
2019: “Spring Happening: Annual Group Show” (Group, 3 works), Next Step Studio & Gallery, Ferndale, MI
2020: “Rolin Pettway®, my PER$PECTIVE™” (Solo, 27 works), LevelOne Bank, Ferndale MI
2021: “Sneaker House: Design Core Detroit” (Group, 1 mural + 6 works), Detroit Center for Design + Technology, Detroit, MI
2021: “The Pandemic & Beyond” (Group, 1 work), Swords Into Plowshares Peace Center & Gallery, Detroit, MI
2022: Private Exhibition at Jerry Thomas Arts (Solo, 21 works) , Atlanta, GA.
2023: "Jeezy & The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra" VIP Event (Solo, 15 works), Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta, GA
=
PROJECTS & BODIES OF WORK
2006: The Phenoms Present: Ear to the Beats (Music). Produced, recorded, and engineered a 17-track compilation album (Hip-Hop, R&B, Pop). The project was a display of capability to collaboratively write, produce, and commercially release original music. All works available via major music streaming platforms.
2014-Present: ultra PHOTOGRAPHS™ (Photography). Photographed and produced two distinctive sub-genres of photographs that depict unidentifiable subjects while capturing their overall essence, and timeless-yet-timestamped subjects. The former explores the concept of identity and energy, while the later psychologically questions concepts of time and nostalgia.
2018-Present: ultra QUALITY™ Playlists (Music & Graphic Design). Set of 60+, 10-song Apple Music playlists that explore many music genres. This project also showcases a body of original digital artworks that serve as cover art for each of the playlists.
2018-Present: Nigga Study (Painting & Typography). Exploration of the history, emotion, usage, meaning and creativity of the word “nigga.” First work was actualized in 2018 (“white nigga”), more works intersected my “Black & Brown Color Studies”, while many of the ideas and concept are yet to be realized in a series of typography, sculpture, and signage experiments.
2021-2022: Black & Brown Color Studies (Painting). Color study prompted by finding and exploring color harmonies that exist with black and brown hues. This work proved to be expansive, as it not only involved technical aspects of color and media, but explored socio-political themes and race implications of black & brown people. Collection of works include 6 paintings (mixed media on wood) and several drawings.
2022-Present: The Celebration of Unmastery (Sculpture). A set of expressive abstract sculptures using found wood. The works explore concepts of 3D form, philosophy, and spirituality. The growing body of work appreciates the abundance and availability of media all around us, as well as redefines the concept of expertise through rudimentary design and building.
2022-Present: Paintings of The Pettway Quilts (Painting & Photography). Currently doing research and planning a project to reimagine selected Gee’s Bend Pettway Quilts as paintings. The project will include a visit to Gee’s Bend (Alabama), meeting/reconnecting with relatives, learning, and procuring quilts in order to create abstract painting interpretations.
=
ARTICLES
2005, Purdue ECE Impact: https://engineering.purdue.edu/Engr/AboutUs/News/Publications/EngineeringImpact/2005_1/ECE/ECE_Impact_Fall2005.pdf
2006, Purdue Exponent: https://historicalnewspapers.lib.purdue.edu/?a=d&d=PE20060412-01&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN--------1
2020, Eldiwan.org: https://www.eldiwan.org/%d8%aa%d8%b5%d9%88%d8%b1%d8%a7%d8%aa-%d8%ac%d9%85%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%8a%d8%a9-%d9%88%d8%a7%d9%86%d8%b7%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%b9%d8%a7%d8%aa-%d9%81%d9%86%d9%8a%d8%a9-%d9%85%d8%b9%d8%a7%d8%b5%d8%b1%d8%a9/
2021, Detroit Center for Design + Technology: https://www.modeldmedia.com/features/DetroitonDisplay.aspx
=
AFFILIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
2017-Present: ultra QUALITY™: Art Department (Worldwide)
2019-Present: Detroit Fine Artist Breakfast Club (Detroit, MI)
2021-Present: Veen University Art Collective (Atlanta, GA)
