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The National African American Labor History
Monument Project“ African Americans were brought to this country as laborers. Our first nationally organized
civil rights struggles were for workers (or manhood) rights.”In keeping with the mission of celebrating African American contributions to the American labor movement, The A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum has launched a national initiative to honor Black labor contributions in a way never done before. In conjunction with the AFL-CIO, the A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum is spearheading an organizing effort to create a monument, memorializing the heroic contributions of African Americans to labor in America. The National African American Labor History Monument will chronicle the many historical achievements of African American to labor and will be erected on the grounds of the museum, in Chicago, Illinois. Not only will the monument make a laudable artistic statement, but also more importantly its existence is intended be a permanent vehicle to educate the general public about the important contributions of African Americans to labor in America.
This monument will chronicle the many historical achievements of African American to labor and will be erected on the grounds of the museum, in Chicago, Illinois. Not only will the monument make a laudable artistic statement, but also more importantly its existence is intended be a permanent vehicle to educate the general public about the important contributions of African Americans to labor in America.
MONUMENT CONCEPT AND DESIGN
This sculpture is primarily a multi-media metals piece, in which the dominant metal is cast bronze. The other materials involved are used only as a support structure—as infrastructure for the bronze casting. It will have a Corten steel backing that is used not only to present a backdrop for the piece, but also to serve as a support for the relief. “I have used the Corten because it obscures the backing of the piece, provides a stable walllike support for the bronze relief, and also because of the beauty of Corten, which is 10% copper—it will last as long as the bronze, and it colors itself as it weathers” states Preston Jackson the selected artist for the project. The size and geometric shapes of the Corten are also used to frame and project the organic relief’s forward. Stainless steel fasteners are used both as spacers and connectors between the Corten steel and the bronze. The welding techniques of the bronze sections along with stainless steel bolting will be the primary techniques of construction. The entire piece will be mounted on a poured concrete base that will provide support for its weight.
Top View
MONUMENT INSCRIPTION:
“Service not Servitude”
Celebrating African-Americans in U.S. Labor HistoryThe National African American Labor History Monument was conceived by Lyn Hughes and is a collaborative partnership between The A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum &
The National AFL-CIO.For additional information contact:
Ron Watkins, Project Coordinator at 773-928-3935
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