Client: Public Art Fund

Overview

REALIZING AN ALTERNATE HISTORY: In “Ruins of Empire,” artist Kiyan Williams reimagines the Statue of Freedom—a historic bronze monument atop the U.S. Capitol Building—as an earthen ruin of acrylic, steel and dirt. The work was commissioned by Public Art Fund as part of Black Atlantic at Brooklyn Bridge Park in New York City.

Goals

In Ruins of Empire, the figure is removed from its lofty perch and placed on the ground to symbolize a reckoning with our nation's history. This removal challenges viewers to confront the complexities of our past and reflect on the role that monuments play in shaping our collective memory.

Process

Williams' figure in the artwork seems to have grown from the park's soil. They worked closely with Johnson Atelier to develop the sculpture’s complex armature that could hold their custom dirt and resin mixture. This mixture was developed in their studio out of actual dirt, resin, glue and other polymers. It is designed to withstand the harsh outdoors. The original statue features patriotic symbols such as a victory wreath, a shield with 13 stripes, and an inscribed pedestal reading E pluribus unum (“Out of many, one”), but its high placement on the Capitol Building dome makes it challenging to appreciate the intricate details.