Philadelphia Proposes Five Black Artists’ Designs For Harriet Tubman Memorial
When the city of Philadelphia first announced its plans for a Harriet Tubman memorial last year, it wasn’t met with excitement. Instead, it faced backlash for having chosen a design by Wesley Wofford, a White male artist, instead of allowing other creators to submit their designs to an open call.
Now, the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy (OACCE) is inviting residents to have their say in the monument by calling for a public vote on five proposals designed by Black artists.
Through the vote, which closes on September 1, 2023, the artists involved in the project will be given a chance to revise their proposal based on public feedback, of which one of the final works will then be selected by the African-American Statue Advisory Committee in October.
The permanent statue, which will replace Wofford’s temporary stand-in, will likely begin installation by early 2025.
Harriet Tubman, City of Liberty by Vinnie Bagwell
The first of the proposals is Harriet Tubman, City of Liberty designed by Vinnie Bagwell. This nine-foot-tall statue will feature the sculptor’s distinctive style, which involves creating three-dimensional bronze statues with narrative bas-relief techniques, incorporating imagery, text, braille, and symbols.
It will depict a young Tubman, symbolizing her journey to freedom and her pivotal role in the Underground Railroad. The main image will be accompanied by notable figures from the abolitionist movement and significant symbols, including the Dwennimmen and Sankofa Adinkra symbols.
Untitled by Richard Blake
Secondly, an artwork by Richard Blake, which has yet to receive a title, will see elements of the plaza blended with the architecture of City Hall from centuries past.
It will incorporate the Keystone—a symbol of Pennsylvania— highlighting its central role in colonial history and the fight for independence.
This design will show Tubman passing through challenging monoliths on her journey to freedom, with the Liberty Bell above her head representing Philadelphia and the abolitionist movement.
She will hold up a lantern as a beacon of hope for oppressed individuals and future generations while facing the north, symbolizing the corner of Broad Street.
Together in Freedom by Tanda Francis
Together In Freedom by Tanda Francis makes up the third contender. This model will seek to foster unity in a divided nation by emphasizing the activist’s unifying mission, capturing Tubman’s inspirational essence as a determined woman with a purpose beyond herself.
The design will feature her head, symbolizing her impactful legacy, and showcasing multiple silhouettes over a keystone, connecting her to Pennsylvania’s “Keystone State” significance.
Facing north and south, primary silhouettes will be accentuated by an intricate portrait, with a polished bronze panel enabling viewers to experience her vision of freedom.
Untitled by Alvin Pettit
The fourth proposal is a yet-to-be-titled artwork by Alvin Pettit, inspired by the 1863 Civil War military strike, commonly known as the Combahee Ferry Raid in which Tubman led soldiers in the battle against the South.
As such, the 11-foot-tall bronze artwork will showcase Tubman in a powerful prayer stance amidst fierce winds, symbolizing her strength and unwavering resolve.
Positioned atop broken shackles, her raised hands will hold both gratitude and determination, while her clenched fists will suggest readiness for further challenges.
Keep Going by Basil Watson
Last but not least, Keep Going by Basil Watson will see the hero envisioned as a resolute leader and warrior, encapsulating her unyielding commitment to freedom with the accompanying phrase.
The sculpture will position Tubman prominently at the center of four figures, with her figure intricately detailed while the others remain more symbolic and loosely rendered.
This arrangement will create a sense of upward movement, representing their ascent to a higher level and aiming to convey the figure’s dynamic spirit, emphasizing her determination to continue forward despite challenges.
Head here to learn more about each proposal or listen to audio recordings as the artists describe the meaning behind each design.
[via Hyperallergic and Artnet News, images via City of Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy]
This article was crafted with assistance from an AI engine, and has been manually reviewed & edited.
