Charles Tatum Memorial Jam

The 1970’s in Portland vibrated with amazing creativity in the African American community. Master painters, sculptors and musicians were hidden gems in our City. It is time to give these artists the honor they are due. Dear friends of sculptor Charles Tatum have established “The Falcon Poets Award” to make sure the legacy of these great artists continues to inspire Portlanders young and old alike.

Charles Tatum was a significant force in the development of Portland’s art scene in the early 70’s as well as a masterful sculptor whose work honored African American heritage. He was an active member of the predecessor to the IFCC- the Albina Art Center. His presence continues to reverberate in our community. Come join us for a gathering of memories and a celebratory jam session with musicians including Thara Memory, the first Charles Tatum Falcon Poet award recipient.

IFCC is proud to join with Mr. Tatum’s friends as we announce the commissioning of a new work by Thara Memory.

Biography

Charles Hugh Tatum

July 31, 1937 – April 4, 2008

Charles H. Tatum was born at home in Lost Lake, Mississippi. In 1970, after completing high school, a year of college, and 2 enlistments in the Navy, he began working with the Compton Communicative Arts Academy.. While he was there, he had the opportunity to work with many great African American contemporary artists including John Outterbridge, Judson Powell, Charles Dickson, and Noah Porfoy (sp?). During this period, Charles studied in the studios of artists and artisans influenced by West African art forms as they are applied to sculpture from the period before 1610. His interest was to be able to connect his sculpture though folkloric and ritualistic understanding to that historical record of West Africa.

In the mid 70’s, Charles moved to Portland because the compactness of its urban and rural features was very appealing after the sprawl of Los Angeles. He worked with the local public radio and television stations and also with the Cultural Affairs Department at Portland State. Charles worked with the Albina Art Center during the 70’s and early 80’s. In 1976, he participated in the Albina Mural Project. Isaac Sham-sudin painted one panel and Charles sculpted the other. When the panels were removed several years later, he retrieved his panel and cut it into 6 separate panels which are now scattered through out the NW including Vanport at Portland State University. It shows the Kaiser shipyard which drew so many Afro-Americans to Portland during World War II. During this time he also completed his Middle Passage Series which were the first major pieces to be cast in bronze.

During the 90’s, He split his time between Portland, Tacoma and Dickson’s Studio in Compton. In Tacoma, he spent a couple of school terms with the Urban Academy and the Urban League teaching any kids with an interest in art, showing them how to use their available talents. After 2002, he worked primarily worked in his shop in Bandon, OR, continuing always to work in wood but branching out to collaborate with photographers. Many of his pieces were shot in natural settings, which helped each piece tell a story through a different visual medium.