Rest in Peace Rod: Son, Brother, Friend, Lover, Artist, Historian, Documenter y mas.
Entry 1 of many.
First, I want to say thank you to everyone who has reached out to share their thoughts. It's still so soon, but it also feels like a lifetime has passed, like Rod is already missing so many things happening, all the things he would've been a part of. That thought hurts to even think, but may you, reader, friend, whomever you are to Rod, find some comfort here.
Return to this space when you remember something you shared with him, something his art made you feel, the spark to a conversation. Let the years age the love, the understanding, the insights. My intention here is to tangibly document the experience of Rod from every angle I can get my hands on because he was mad special to me, a friend and brother. Like many others, he welcomed me to Chicago with open arms, showed me love, was kind, and shared that big heart of his.
To Rod: I will see you again, hermano. You're in the hands of the universe. 908 forever.
To my readers: Reading through all these entries, I smiled at the warm joy everyone has shared, having experienced moments with Rod. The joy is smeared with deep pain and aching vibrations. Still, I believe these collective reminiscences will raise our frequencies… and he will receive them.
It's as if he knew everybody all around cuz his passing didn't leave me feeling lonely about what it feels like to lose him but a universal understanding. That understanding has led to celebrating him, tellings of his impact, murals to honor him, rituals to praise him, and private dialogue with the spirit.
For now, I wanna share who Rod was to my 908 family…
Rod was an unofficial roommate of the 908 apt: Landon, Armani, Sumin (another unofficial roommate, haha), and myself. An apartment on 2701 S Indiana Ave in Chicago, where we grew from young college kids to adults. We always laughed about him being the unofficial roommate because he didn't pay rent but crashed on the couch and cooked on several days of the week. I can hear him now. He always rang one of us or made a quick call that would have his soft tone of "yo, yo, I'm here."
I look back at our young faces, figuring out life and going through our changes. His hair grew with the times, beautifully grown-out locs that trace back to their beginnings when they were up to his cheekbones and then his chin, down to his neck. Three years in there and we all had already solidified the cadence of our familia. Even before 908, there was the apt in Bridgeport. We didn't have a couch but a big red bean bag. He made himself comfortable anywhere. That was the beauty of Rod, so malleable and willing to make things work to be around those he loved. We grew into ourselves there. We ate good food that we all cooked together, led by chef Armani's love for cooking. We had our own little family, making sure everybody ate and had a safe space to be themselves.
We laughed and watched Primm's Hood, Berleezy, and many YouTube videos. He practiced his Spanish with me, ending in us trying to make sense of that NYC Dominican Spanish lingo and the Chicago Spanish that he was learning. No matter what tongue he spoke in, Rod had a voice that carried like poetry. It still echoes in my mind: in English and in Spanish - seasoned with so much genuineness and laughter. Rod was always laughing. Remember him like that.
In 908 and anywhere we lived, I always wrapped Rod's hair in a satin wrap and tucked him in. I made him into a burrito to make sure he was comfy and warm. I wanted to make sure he felt good and didn't wake up shivering. I felt like a big sister to him in those moments, but I never told him it was the other way around. He was like a big brother, constantly reminding me of my worth and telling me I can do anything I put my mind to. Rod had this thing to him, raw and honest. He manifested confidence in conversation – you would trust that you would figure things out, finish a project, travel, whatever it was, cuz he was doing that every day – Keeping to what he taught his loved ones. Rod was committed to himself, his goals, his dreams, his community.
Every morning, I kid you not… every morning that Rod was over, I slept through my alarm, and he would knock on our door, "You making some café in the greca?" Groggy but always excited for our morning rituals, I would follow his voice out to the kitchen to make Cafe Bustelo in the greca. We would sip a strong café negro with azucar morena and talked about life.
That was also our unofficial book club and podcast moment. We swore by starting a book club. I wouldn't say we never got to it because we had conversations about the material we were reading and listening to in those moments. By the time we moved out of the 908 apt, the spirit of it stuck with us. Armani and I ended up in Woodlawn, about a 5-minute drive to Rod's place in Hyde Park, where he remained the unofficial roommate, coming to sleep over in the basement we lived in. We brought the mattress to the living room, and the three of us slept in a sitting position with our feet hanging off––big Kids.
The last time Rod slept over was at our new apartment, "This couch big ass hell, boy!"
I wrapped his hair and left out his blankets. He and Armani had their night rituals of watching video game streamers. We had café one last time that morning. Armani and I headed out in the car from the garage, and he rode his bike, heading home to Hyde Park.
"Aight, I'll catch y'all later."
Rod, we gon' see you later, Brotha!
— Mad Luv, from Natasha & 908
Sumin Kim
My brother Roderick,
It still kills me to this day to think that I talk about you in a past tense. I am sorry to let you go off to a strange and unknown place. Normally, I won’t worry too much knowing how adventurous you are, but this time is different. It’s not normal.
Remember our carefree, long night walks throughout Chicago? Remember our short meetups in between our daily life? You have brought so much adventures to my life. Remember your random appreciations for me? I don’t know if I showed enough appreciation to you as much as you showed yours to me. Remember all the dances and parties we went together? Your existence in every part of my life was so wholesome and joyful. Remember when you took me out to new parts of Chicago to show graffitis? Remember our countless sleepovers, just because. You were so tall and big that you barely fit into any of my pants, but you still looked comfortable and safe at my place, which made me feel the same. I realize that I took all these for granted.
Was I a good friend to you, Roderick? Had I provided you a safe space for you as a friend? How is the journey to wherever you are heading to now? Were you in any pain before you last breath? I really hope you weren’t. That’s actually my last wish for you. You resting in peace.
Truthfully, it feels unreal that I am even writing this. This time we are living in is a painful reality but what we will live through and keep you in our hearts forever. The marks you left in this world with your creativity and energy are ubiquitous and will remind us how much of a passionate and loving person you are.
I am grieving, Roderick. Everyone is. We miss you. I am going to try my best and hardest to keep living and move forward to look after your loved ones and mine. Thank you for being my family, friend, supporter, cheerleader, and much more than anything and anyone.
Hope you are free of any pain, bad energy, grudges you had. Hope you come visit us in any form in our life.
Lots of love,
Sumin
Carly Siess
My favorite memory of Rod is when he first said he loved me. About 10 months into dating Rod bought a one way ticket to Mexico. Even though our relationship was still so new I knew that this was an adventure that he needed to take and we agreed to do long distance. A month or so into him living in Mexico I was missing him incredibly and while talking on the phone the words “I love you Rod” burst from my mouth unexpectedly.
I remember telling him not to say it back because I didn’t want our first time saying I love you to each other to happen over the phone and in two different countries. So he didn’t say it. Instead, Rod secretly booked a flight back to Chicago, showed up at my apartment and told me he loved me. Face to face. In the same country. ❤️
Tom Callahan
Rod generously let me print photos at school with him. Together we bonded over our love for photography, graffiti, and the joy of seeing these images printed out in small and large formats. It felt like going to the candy store. While we sat there, I saw Rod beginning to dabble in videography. I admired how he was expanding his creativity, relationships and passions. It was easy to be around Rod. At a certain point, we stopped printing together but stayed in touch mostly online.
His stories had me in stitches! I was touched by how strong his friend circle was and how he enjoyed life. He was one of the first guys I knew asking questions about romantic love and relationships vulnerably. Witnessing life through his lens and exchanging messages of love and support here and there rippled into my life and relationships and will continue to. I’m so thankful to him for him and all the love he shared with me, others and the world. You will be deeply missed and remembered, Rod.
Stephen Wilkes
So I’m in the process of selling my Grandma’s house. I inherited it a while back after her passing and grew up here. I asked Rod if he could do a photoshoot to encapsulate the love that has filled this place over its many years. All of my immediate family is where brotha Rod is now. Rod didn’t hesitate to say yes. Rod’s artistic eye resonated with my soul and I think he could tell. We had known each other for awhile through being on film sets together and homies. I was excited and he was excited. We started plottin what to do when my girlfriend and I became apart of his Mirrors Project in tandem. We never really got to spend time together, needing out together, sit down talk about life, this was the first time we really got to dive into a bromance and I was here for it. When he came to my home could see what I was talking about when it came to love. He could feel it immediately and I was hyped and honored to have my family be part of his vision.
We never got to finish shooting and I don’t think he got to finish editing all those photos from the first day. I’m sure he got most of it done. What he did capture are ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECES and I’m going to frame what he did get. He even captured a pic of my dog and they ended up becoming best friends. He loved walking my dog and just spending time with him too. I told him he’s my designated doggie sitter. We laughed so much that day. After that I kept thanking him every time I saw him afterwards. Nobody else in history has had eyes as masterful as his when it comes to that lens and when it comes to being a great friend. I got to really enjoy this summer with Rod. Chilling at the point, meeting friends, giving teaching advice, talking about the future and what we wanted to create together. I’m really grateful to have gotten to know him. Rod could see me as an artist and as a brotha and vise versa. I told Rod after I take these pics imma take a big step in life and its been happening.
I owe that to him. Rod has unique ability to make people feel safe, trusting, and open. There was nothing to hide only to bee free. His heart, art, and the people who love him show that tremendously. I was talkin to one of his friends and he was shook because it happened to his dog when I told him I think my dog knew he moved on and saw him and my dog got all joyous and playful. That’s how I know Rod is alright. He’s free ❤️
Warren Jay
Aside from the time he reached out about collaborating on the mirror project, one of my favorite memories was when Rod came through to my friend Shabbaz’s Super Smash Bros tournament. I showed up, saw him sitting there by the DJ booth where my homie Yetzi was spinning at and as soon as we locked eyes, I lit up because I wasn’t expecting him to be there. Through the night we drank, talked life, art, girls etc. I introduced him to each and every one of my friends that night, all of which have since said how cool of a person he was and shared their condolences. Of course he brought his camera with him and took amazing photos of us.
Him being there just showed how genuine of a person he was and I’ll forever cherish his friendship! 🫂✨
Sun Kawazoe
Rod was taking part in my BFA show piece that was a collection of stories of one’s hardest time in life. Rod went all the way back to elementary school where he felt misunderstood and didn’t connect with anybody beyond simple friendships. He felt this way all the way up to his early years at SAIC. He talked about learning to navigate relationships and who to put his time and energy into. “I feel like the hardest part was developing those connections because its learning who other people are. Going through different situations and learning how to fit with people. Learning how to operate with people, which is tough… there’s been a lot of tough situations where I’m figuring out how to care about somebody else. Somebody else is figuring out how to care about me.”
The one part that stood out to me the most was when he talked about learning to speak up and saying how he feels. “I feel like I’m really used to being like, ‘oh, I’m not gonna say how I feel’… but part of it also, ‘If I don’t talk, you can’t hear.’ Its being more open and honest with people, which is hard… So it’s tough, but I think at the end of the day its worth it.”
He wrapped it up with “My stories are about learning, growing, and how it’s been a long process of learning about myself and other people. Looking back at it, he stayed true to that through every aspect of life. I believe he’s found himself despite how short his life was cut. I just hope he knew how much he helped others find themselves purely with his heart and soul. As heavy as my own heart feels, I feel like he wouldn’t want his loved ones to shut themselves in.
The best way for me to thank him at this point is to keep connecting with others earnestly and openly. Be open to show love and receive it.
Jourdon Gullet
Man. This makes me so sad. He was in After School matters (ASM), as one of my students years back. He was such a sweet kid and an even sweeter man. He will be missed for sure.
Maira Khwaja
Rod,
Left us a body of work so plentiful, ongoing, exponentially growing for us to parse through and reflect on in the details. A frame of your collage still sits on my radiator, awaiting our reframing after my passed cat broke its glass. I think I’ll hang it broken. You were in the middle of it all. Thank you for every zine, graff, documentation, photo as study of history, photo as care for intimacy in the mundane or the sensual. For including me throughout your practice. Your work was a deep breath. To see you was a laugh. To be in your orbit was to feel love. To run into you was a smile. To laugh with you — at memes, new midwestern drill, poly theory — was to learn, to gasp, to cackle with delight. You were, are, an embodiment of a casual community connection being a form of deep & kind friendship. You, us, forever on the move, passing each other in the neighborhood, the city, the whole world was able to become our neighborhood. It was so good to be your neighbor. Always a bike, camera, pen or paint in hand. A no-brainer to open up a home for and share both radically introspective and casually lighthearted jokes, dreams, creativity with each other. I will forever ask WWRD — what would jpeg do! — when adventuring, learning, meeting others, collaging, finding peace in being present. Thank you for teaching me when i found fascination in graffiti history and play. Thank you for holding down the arts corner at events whenever we asked. Thank you for your contributions to our world — our little, expansive, dreamer’s, interwoven corner of this world — in your documentation and encouragement and imagination. A history keeper and a maker, all for and among the people. Each of your works felt like you were in the middle of it all. Thank you thank you thank you and I’m so sorry for the random cruelty this life could deal. That it took you while you were in the middle of it all. I wonder if you ever thought about in what form you might come back. I’m sure however it is, however you are, you’re with us.
Tyler Anthony
I remember I saw him at the Chicago art department, he was walking around looking at art and he remembered me from Armani’s show at the barber shop. He was the first person to describe Chicago to me in how it’s “big small.” He said whatever you’re into, you start seeing those same people at every spot you go:)✨
Jordan Swanson
Rod was literally one of the coolest, smoothest peopleI ever met. We didn’t have a lot of opportunities for conversation, but the few we did have always ended in a laugh or smile. His mind, energy, and the amazing art he was always able to create will for sure be missed.
Daniel Ireland
We met at SAIC. While we were at SAIC and he was working on his skateboard while we were in the lounge areas. We connected over that. A few years after that her let me stay at his dorm while I was homeless so I would have a place to stay for a night. He was a very nice guy.
E
Rod. Our moments together were brief yet your impact on my life is resounding. I have spent many a day dream with you. We were looking forward to Hyde Park strolls and living room ties. I will stroll and I will tie in your honor. Thank you for inspiring me to create. Inspiring me to dream.✨
Diamond
An amazing photographer and great listener, always down to collaborate on a project and just a sweet guy.❤️
Carolina
Al-Qawi Nanavati
He was such a wonderful person. So genuine and warm.
José Alejandro Rodríguez
For the times that I seen all you come to Kimski was my favorite time. Rod would always have a smile on his face and all that positivity that would radiate off him would fill a room.
Julietta Magaña Perez
When I moved to Chicago in 2013, I never expected to find my closest homies. Lia Miller and Sonia Jourdain took me in and introduced me to Hyde Park and with that of course came Roderick. So much of my time in Chicago was spent in Hyde Park, and my greatest memories are there with Roderick. Like anyone who came across him, he made me feel seen and gave me the perspective to see beauty in anything and that any space can be art.
I have a cousin who teaches Latin dance and used to have a studio on the West side that was very close to my apartment that I shared with Lia and Sonia. One day, I decided to take a class and my uncle also accompanied me. I was a little nervous to take the class because even though I’m a dancer, I never took a Latin ballroom dance class before. Most of the students had showed up but just before the class was about to start, guess who showed up?? Rod!! I was shocked and I had asked him “what are you doing here!?” And he told me he had been taking classes at this studio! My cousin and uncle asked me “you know Rod??” And I said, “do I know him? That’s my homie!” So, after that he was my dance partner and we had a blast. After class he told me he wanted to see Lia and Sonia so my cousin offered to drop us both eat our apartment. We get home of course Lia and Sonia were confused why I showed up with Rod and we told them the funny story lol.
When I think about the City of Chicago, I think about the people foremost. Rod is and will always be the epitome of a true Chicagoan. He was an artist through and through and he will be missed by many. 🤍🕊
Becky Scott
Didn’t know Rod personally but the way you spoke of him, Lola, made me know he was good people. My first intro to him was visiting his studio space with you, while he was away. I saw the marks he left on the walls. The art he made. The impact he had on you. You don’t find good people like Rod everyday. Lots of peace and love to Rod, his family, his friends he called his family, everyone he’s made an impact on. 💕
Kee Stein
I was secretly smitten with Rod. I admired his gentle quietness and observance, how he was good at letting things sit with him. I sometimes joked that his grin was so wide it stretched to other area codes. I choose to remember him cheesing. I choose to remember him biking across the city in search of a new photo to take. I choose to remember him practicing Spanish, dancing and showing up for the people he loved. It is an honor to love and be loved by Rod.
Claire Smith
*Interview with Roderick Sawyer 2015
Rod Sawyer, a third year interdisciplinary student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago has a very unique relationship with street art and graffiti. His academic/artistic venture is photography. Stemming from his roots; Sawyer’s father was a photographer. As a child he gravitated towards the camera, picking it up years later. For the past few years he has dedicated his time into exploring the city streets, alleys, abandoned buildings, freight trains, and subway cars, documenting any artifact that was left or being formed by an artist.
Sawyer, born and raised in Chicago, IL was brought into this community after high school. A former classmate used to call to him saying, “paint the trains bro, paint the trains” he says that’s what really “got [him] hyped on graffiti as a medium to document.”
Many people may see street art or graffiti as vandalism, and Sawyer confirms, “it is, but the issue is people don’t realize vandalism is art, too.” While I spoke to him and as we filed through his online portfolio, he couldn’t stop talking about the energy of a piece, “the energy of graffiti.” In his photographs, the way he brings the colors in these artworks to life is extremely beautiful. Particularly in the city of Chicago where spray paint can’t even be bought within city lines, citizens hear more about the negatives when it comes to tagging or bomb graffiti.
Sawyer’s passion in what he refers to as a subculture, really brings a new light to the practice. Not only is graffiti opening new doors to expression, as it is a new classic art form with plenty of historical context, but he brought to light that although made individually, graffiti forms a community. It’s really an art in the sense that it brings a group of people together.
Talking about togetherness, Sawyer says, “what anyone else is painting, what’s already there, what the community wants” that’s the who, what, when, and where of graffiti. Artists link up. Think of graffiti as a mass informal artist collective. They create in the same spaces, using their own style to enhance a structure. What goes up on these walls isn’t claiming territory as some may think, but it’s a way of saying “I was here [...] It’s about recognition, this is my symbol, this is my name. It’s pushing the limits of what’s considered art or what we decide to consider art, if I do a beautiful mural that’s art to everybody, but a piece that people don’t understand may not be deemed as art. Graffiti tests what we decide to consider art.”
It’s not just about the final product either, bringing in the community more, learning about artists personally and catching them in the moment while they’re beginning a sketch or an outline, Rod continues to focus on the moment. Tying back into the energies of a piece of work, the viewer can vibe with it, and although it is community based it’s “about using your own style...kinda like what hip hop is about, perfecting your style.” Sawyer is fascinated by the time and effort and meanings of these pieces as they are temporary, so capturing them before they’re destroyed is another way of him saying “I was here, and I witnessed these creations whether they be ephemeral or not; they’re now forever.
Aamir Mitchell
Miriam
Rod was the first person I met as soon as I landed in Chicago, we went for a milkshake and sat by the river in the Loop. We talked about graffiti for hours and out friendship took off from there. He showed me the city in such special ways. I cherish every moment we shared - every elote, every deep conversation, every dance, every hangover, every gallery show, every adventure, every taco spot. Anyone who had the chance to have Rod as a friend knows what it's like to have an unconditional friendship, a brother. This is what he was to me. You and our friendship have a special place in my heart, I will miss you always amigo. Un abrazo al cielo 🕊️
Janny Jang
Rod a friend who, being the best in himself made me see the best in people and in life.
Rod. Someone who gave me the lens to see the best of people and beauty in this life.
Rod. A creative, a lover, a friend, a movement.
Rod. Someone who welcomed me in my journey in Chicago along with Sumin. The opener who introduced me to the excitement of genuine individuals and good people who filled me with energy, meaning, connection. Rod, Armani, Natasha, Landon, Sumin’s friendship shared so givingly. Teaching and showing me new depths of good company, support and presence.
Rod. Who captured these moments of overflowing love and connection from hot pot night in Landon’s, at Armani’s, and snacks by the lake. These images and moments themselves captured by his talented lens of life that engrained snapshots forever into my memories. The way Rod captured the feelings, mood, liveliness of these loving moments when everything felt like it was really, going to be okay.
Rod. Gifting the world and myself a precious living moment to open, but also challenging us with the power of being retrospective and grateful.
Rod. Someone whose second nature is appreciating people, love, and the present instilled my interest in film photography. The process for me to breathe in the present, capture the candid moments with loved ones. The process of progressing and grieving.
“You got it - its just about trying it out and you already got it!” - Rod at Landon’s rooftop during Natasha’s Photoshoot.
Rod. Someone who has a presence bigger than the present. A teacher for me without knowing, a mentor for many, and a leader by example for always immersing fully to life.
Rod. Effortless in loving, being, living.
Rod. Always someone to point out the wrongs, live out with utmost respect, all while showing how effortless it is.
Rod. His gentleness, unwavering character, and strength through love didn’t need any external validation, encouraging me to really really love myself.
Rod. Someone who I want to call out to, someone whose presence feels deep and heavy anywhere, someone whose name I want to continue to say, as I am inspired every time that I do.
Rod. I love you. Thanks for being here with us endlessly. I will think of you and speak of you each time I reflect on the beauty of friends, adventures of life, and strength of love.
Sincerely & with all my love,
Janny Jang
Lena Kennedy
Rod was family. A talented young man that my kids considered a brother. I’ll always remember his humble spirit and smile on his face. Rod this broke us. The world lost an amazing person but we still feel your spirit. We still see your smile. Your energetic presence is all around us. We love you. 🙏🏽
Alfonzo Howard
Rod was our brother. He shared his light and talents with the world. I can just picture him laughing and always being a great energy. It was a blessing having you in our lives. We will miss you 🙏🏽❤️
Landon Williams
Rodicient! Rod the magnificent. What I called Rod every time i saw him because of the gravitas he carried. Such quiet strength. Unparalleled care. A man who constantly radiated love, familiarity, and savior faire. We would talk for hours about life: it’s meaning, how it changes, and where it takes us. I always had a laugh and smile in your presence. The warmth we shared over the years will last a lifetime and more.
Armani Howard
A thank you to Rod. A thank you for letting me able to experience all that he was able to give. I appreciate all that he allowed me to experience. The moments, the wisdom, the love, the passion. He reminded me to lean into what you love and believe in yourself. To know that you have what it takes and push through.
That even with the pressures of the world — you have yourself and the community around you. That its important to push forward, always. He taught me to love. Rod was the person that no matter what was going on in your life he took the time to be there for you. It is a lesson to forget easily. It was great to have someone around that believed in you more than you did for yourself.
He didn’t take no as an answer. The only thing that stopped him was himself and that didn’t even stop him. Thank you for the lessons, for the way you reminded us to remember the things we forget. It was the way he lived his life. The way he navigated his relationships, it was the purest form you would want someone to live.
The fact that he taught us to be present. When he was in front of you, he made you feel like a focus. I’m gonna truly miss having someone that felt like he was meant to be in his life. I’ll miss his attention to you, his care and acknowledgement.
Rod was a nurturer. He had a grace to him that everybody was important and you saw that in how he documented people in his work, you are worth a conversation. He taught us to be present. When he was in front of you, he made you feel like a focus. I’m going to truly miss his attention to you, his care, and acknowledgement. Rod used the pro’s and con’s of what he experienced in his life to help other people . He was a true artist.
I’m gonna miss him, the joy of experiencing his presence is pushing me to teach people about this sort of care.
MAD SEASONED will always be a home to Roderick Chancellor Sawyer.
So beautiful these homages for Rod. A very inspiring individual with a genuine connection to life, his gente and his creative gifts. I wish I could have spent more time with your brother. In a way I think I do thru you and the circle of love you all created. With love and respect Rod's energy continues to inspire everyone he connected with.