The idea of placing a Harriet Tubman statue in front of Philadelphia’s City Hall was inspired by a traveling statue that Wofford designed in 2017 after receiving a private commission.
Lee’s office attempted to buy the statue but could not because the design was a private commission.
Instead, the city decided to commission Wofford to design a new statue of Tubman for about $500,000.
The contract was being finalized when local artists and community members heard the news.
Hundreds of people denounced the city for commissioning Wofford instead of opening a public process that would allow local artists, particularly those who are Black, to submit their work.
Persons:
Harriet Tubman, Wofford, Tubman’s, Kelly Lee, Tubman
Organizations:
of Arts , Culture, Creative
Locations:
Philadelphia’s, Montgomery, Ala, Philadelphia, Georgia, North Carolina