Through paintings, sound and light, North Lawndale artist Terreon Collins is turning his own experiences with sickle cell disease into an immersive art exhibition titled “Where the Blood Flows at the Lawndale Pop-Up Spot.
On Saturday, the exhibition will host a panel discussion about sickle cell disease and a screening of “Blade,” a film that references the condition. The exhibit will be on display through Oct. 31.
The Lawndale Pop-Up Spot is a community museum housed in a shipping container at 3601 W. Douglas Blvd. where local artists and residents collaborate on exhibitions that share stories about the neighborhood and its community
Collins, who was born with the ailment, said his inspiration for “Where the Blood Flows” included a sickle cell pain crisis in December 2025 that caused a blockage behind his eye. Unlike previous crises that typically involved physical pain in his arms or legs, the episode had no physical pain, but doctors immediately raised concerns about a possible stroke.
“I’m an artist, and I like to see, so that really pushed everything forward. I’ve always wanted to do something artistic with sickle cell. I’ve had it since birth and discovered I could draw at a young age, so I immediately paired the two,” Collins said.
Through visual artwork, sound and the exhibit’s red setting, visitors are immersed in Collins’ experience with sickle cell disease. The space is designed to resemble a large blood vessel, with the artwork arranged to represent blood cells clumping together during a sickle cell crisis
When Collins pitched the exhibition to Lawndale Pop-Up Spot co-founder Jonathan Kelley, he envisioned a ship called the S.S. Hemoglobin, inspired by the scientific name for sickle cell disease.
“Sickle cell’s scientific name is hemoglobin SS. When I looked into the concept, I thought, ‘Oh, SS makes me think of ships.’ So I thought, ‘What if I just flip the two and call it SS Hemoglobin?’ Essentially, SS blood,” Collins said.
Collins grew up in North Lawndale, moving between several locations before establishing his roots in the neighborhood. A longtime artist and crafter, he has explored crochet, knitting and acting while participating in community projects, including the Douglass 18 miniature golf course, the North Lawndale whirligig project and community murals.
When asked what it means to tell this story specifically in North Lawndale, Collins explained that creating the exhibition allowed him to discover more about North Lawndale’s history with sickle cell disease. He believes the subject deserves greater attention and more community discussion.
“Sickle cells are very genetic. It’s also a good thing that I’m able to provide a visual and physical representation of what the community holds and what people should learn about sickle cell, what they should know, and how to best support or treat a family member with the disease. So it means a lot to have advocacy here,” Collins said.
As visitors walk through the exhibition, they encounter visual artwork accompanied by audio that helps bring Collins’ experiences with sickle cell disease to life. A voice recording of Collins accompanies the artwork, describing the emotional toll of living with sickle cell disease, from waiting for treatment and taking daily medication to enduring debilitating pain crises.
“When I say I didn’t feel any pain at all, it was more like the pain was so intense everywhere that you start to lose consciousness a little bit. It was as if everything was canceling itself out, leaving me essentially numb, to the point where I wasn’t reacting as I usually would or holding myself together,” Collins said.
The exhibition’s sound was developed with sound designer Tommy Grant and sound technician Clay Bowman, both of whom have experience with Theatre Y and local productions. Vocalist and guitarist Isaac Couch and vocalist and sound engineer Jesse Pace also contributed to the project.
During a recording session, Collins spoke into a microphone while one artist played the keyboard, distorting his voice in real time to convey the intensity of a pain crisis.
The exhibition aims to help visitors understand that sickle cell disease can cause significant pain even when there are no visible signs of illness. Collins hopes people recognize that those living with the condition may appear healthy and go about their daily routines while still experiencing pain. He also wants visitors to learn more about the disease and how to support those affected by it.
“Individual participation or advocacy can start with getting tested to see whether you carry the sickle cell trait. That way, you can be mindful of your partner and the potential risks when deciding to have children. Sickle cell disease essentially has a one-in-four chance of occurring under certain genetic circumstances. The information I’m providing is what I want people to talk about,” Collins said.