Subject | York |
Artist | Todd McGrain |
Materials | Wood, Urethane, and Bronze Paint (materials meant to be temporary) |
Installation Date | 2021 |
Acquisition Context | The bust of York was a guerilla art intervention by an anonymous artist (later found to be Todd McGrain). |
Where was it originally located? | Summit of Mt. Tabor Park, on the pedestal formerly occupied by the toppled Harvey Scott monument |
Was there engagement when it was created? | No, guerilla installation |
What happened to it? | The monument was damaged in 2021. It is currently in storage beyond repair. |
Representative feedback from public comments, testimony and City-led public conversations | “I think that the new bust of York is beautiful and I have no problem whatsoever with it. It is important to uplift and represent historical figures who previously have been overlooked or ignored in our national story. I do, however, have a problem with the manner in which is was put up. The bust of York was put up after a criminal act of vandalism removed the previous statue. No discussion, no debate, just an undemocratic act of violence.”
“i would like to say 'thank you' to the artist. it was a beautiful guerilla piece of art and sculpture; it mattered, people who had never heard of york learned his story, people learned about revered figures who had kept slaves, people thought. when i went to see the sculpture, the feeling of awe and compassion was palpable. i would like to see the stature remain / return there in a more permanent state.” |
Status | Monument commissioned in Spring 2024. Additional public engagement will occur during the 2024 Monuments Symposium. |
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