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A public art installation to honor Black lives and the history of African Americans will be unveiled in the Golden Gate Park in time for Juneteenth. Approved by the San Francisco Arts Commission and San Francisco Recreation and Park, the installation will surround the vacant plinth where a statue of Francis Scott Key was toppled by protestors on June 19, 2020. Support for the installation is being provided by the Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD).
“Monumental Reckoning,” by Bay Area sculptor Dana King includes 350 four-foot high sculptures crafted in black steel with vinyl tubing, representing the number of Africans initially forced onto the “San Juan Bautista” to become America’s first slaves.
“The art and monuments that we choose to display in our city and the civic art that fills our public spaces must reflect the diversity of our community, and honor our history,” said Mayor Breed. “This powerful public art installation in Golden Gate Park will help us not only commemorate Juneteenth, but also serve as an example of how we can honor our past, no matter how painful, and reflect on the challenges that are still with us today.”