How should the struggle of African-Americans in Indianapolis be portrayed? New York-based, African-American artist Fred Wilson thinks the sculpture above is how. Wilson is designing a sculpture for the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, the bike and pedestrian path being built downtown. Wilson’s work, titled E Pluribus Unum (Out of Many, One), would be the first public artwork dedicated to the African-American community in Indianapolis’ downtown. Wilson’s vision is to create a 3D image of the freed slave currently in a sculpture on the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument. Instead of kneeling, the sculpture would depict the freed slave in an “upright, empowered position as a 21st Century person of color, holding a flag representing the African Diaspora”. The statue’s base would contain seats and match the décor of the south side of the City-County Building where it will be placed. Wilson is also thinking of incorporating into the base of statue the names of African-Americans who helped our society and the notion of freedom.
What do you think of the design? Is it a proper representation of the Indianapolis African-American community? Would it be a point and showcase of pride? Or does the design reinforce negative stereotypes? Click on the link below to our Facebook Page and comment. Or click below to send me an e-mail. We’ll share your views on Afternoons with Amos. We’ll talk to the artist sometime in mid-October. Also below is a link to the Cultural Trail website where you can learn more.
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