Christopher W. Robinson Portrait of Christopher W. Robinson by Julie Zahn

From the artist Julie Zahn:

Wake

Tell all my mourners

To mourn in red -

Cause there ain’t no sense

In my bein’ dead.

- Langston Hughes

This poem resonates with what I learned about the courageous young Christopher W. Robinson who was beloved and a shining light in his West Philadelphia neighborhood. Lincoln University, where Christopher was in the Class of 2016, has a library named after Langston Hughes, Christopher’s favotire color was red, and he loved music. This no-nonsense poem, with its musical rhythm, underlines the fact that very little has changed in the 60-plus years since it was written.

From Christopher’s aunt, Lisa Downing: The following is an edited declaration from Lincoln University sent to us by Christopher’s aunt.

Christopher began making an impact from the onset of his academic journey at the Lincoln University. His enthusiasm for the pursuit of knowledge was unrelenting and remarkably infectious.. His professors appreciated his zeal for learning in the classroom;  students not only viewed him as a gifted student, but they treasured him as a friend.

He was a member of the The People Standing United and a host of other campus initiatives. Christopher’s humor and energy were inspirational. His remarkable ability to accentuate the positive and find “links” between ideas and people endeared him to all who had the opportunity to know him.

His greatest contribution was to each of us in our interactions with him.. Christopher will be greatly missed, but his positive effect on our lives will be long lasting.

Therefore, be it resolved, Chris is an eternal Lincoln Lion. Be it further resolved, Christopher Robinson is remembered for Advancing the Legacy of Lincoln University through his inspirational work and life.

Declared March 12, 2016

By, reverend Frederick T. Falcott, M.Div., M.Ed.

The Lincoln University Chaplain

From the curator: This portrait was chosen to be on the cover of the catalog for the third edition of the portrait project. I felt that it embodied so much of what we hear from the mourning family and friends of these souls we memorialize and pay tribute to. The vertical presentation accentuates the proud, tall pose of the graduate. The brilliant and lively colors both on Christopher and in the background are his vitality. The overall joyful effect of Julie’s treatment beautifully and sadly reminds us of the potential in this young man, as so many of our portraits do.

Christopher W. Robinson Portrait of Christopher W. Robinson by Julie Zahn mixed media on panel 32” x 18” 2019