Object Details
Artist
Tim Rollins and K.O.S., founded New York City 1982
Tim Rollins, born Pittsfield, ME 1955-died New York City 2017
Gallery Label
Black diagonal lines intersect at multiple points to form the letter M and three X's. Pages from The Autobiography of Malcolm X cover the surface of the canvas like wallpaper.
Artist Tim Rollins formed K.O.S. (Kids of Survival) in the 1980s with a group of high school students in the South Bronx. Many of their collaborations are inspired by literary classics. Published in 1965, months after the human rights activist's assassination, The Autobiography of Malcolm X has sold millions of copies and influenced generations of readers.
This artwork's title comes from a refrain often found in Malcolm X's speeches:
We want freedom by any means necessary.
We want justice by any means necessary.
We want equality by any means necessary.
Credit Line
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment
Copyright
© 2008, Tim Rollin and K.O.S.
Date
2008
Object number
2010.18
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
Painting
Medium
matte acrylic and book pages on canvas
Dimensions
72 x 72 in. (182.9 x 182.9 cm)
See more items in
Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
Department
Painting and Sculpture
On View
Smithsonian American Art Museum, 3rd Floor, East Wing
Data Source
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Topic
History\United States\Civil Rights Movement
Object\written matter\book
History\United States\Black History\Malcolm X
Link to Original Record
Record ID
saam_2010.18