Kiyan Williams

Ruins of Empire is a captivating artwork that reimagines the historic Statue of Freedom atop the U.S. Capitol Building as an earthen ruin. This work was commissioned by the Public Art Fund and presented as part of Black Atlantic at Brooklyn Bridge Park in New York City.

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. 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.

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.

Check out News for more on this piece.

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