MOORE VS. DEMPSEY
Mixed Media
31” x 48” x 24”

I was honored to be commissioned to create this piece by the Delta Cultural Center in Helena, Arkansas to commemorate the Moore vs. Dempsey trial of 1923. Next year is the 100 year anniversary of the Elaine Massacre.

I did some research and used a 1920's chair that was identical to the chairs used in the courtroom during this time period. The hands bending the ‘bars’ representing the men who gained their freedom and there are six bars for the six men.

The hands resting on the arms are exact replica’s of Abraham Lincoln’s hands at the Lincoln Memorial. I used some of my own photographs of this from when I had my exhibition at the National Mall. This is a powerful representation of the 14th Amendment where even though Lincoln had been assassinated, the push for equal and civil rights stemming from the 13th Amendment for African Americans and slaves who had been emancipated after the American Civil War continued on.

The handshake mounted in front of the chair represents the agreement, or compromise the men acceded to to obtain their release.

http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/en…/entry-detail.aspx…

Cast iron, epoxy putty, steel, paint