‘Other Washingtons’ monument asks, ‘Who should be remembered?’

Amanda Williams, an artist known for her impactful public installations, is now turning her attention to Chicago's monuments, prompting a reevaluation of who is remembered and why.

Her latest work, titled 'Other Washingtons,' is situated at the site of the 1902 George Washington statue in Washington Park. The installation features a dynamic display of flags, flagpoles, and banners that surround the existing statue. Depending on the viewer's vantage point, the original statue can be partially or entirely obscured by the new elements.

These banners and flags are not merely decorative; they carry the names and stories of a diverse array of individuals who share the surname Washington. Williams intentionally includes figures from various walks of life, such as educator Booker T. Washington, scientist George Washington Carver, musicians Dinah Washington and Grover Washington Jr., as well as local figures like former mayor Harold Washington and educator Candice Washington.

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Colour(ed) Theory was about the injustice, George gets to be about the reparations. It's in line with telling Chicago stories, this one ties them to a national story, a more historic story.

"'Colour(ed) Theory' was about the injustice, George gets to be about the reparations," Williams explained, drawing a connection to her previous work. "It's in line with telling Chicago stories, this one ties them to a national story, a more historic story."

The project aims to challenge conventional notions of monumentality. By highlighting the contributions of both historical and contemporary Washingtons, Williams encourages the public to consider a broader definition of who is worthy of being honored. The biographies featured on the banners are to be written by individuals named Washington or by those connected to them, fostering a personal and community-driven narrative.

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It’s a beautiful interweaving of people that have ties directly to this name because it’s their surname, and people that feel their lives have been impacted by people that have had this last name. It’s a way to really help people reimagine what they think a monument should be, who should be monumentalised, who should be honoured, who should be put on a pedestal.