On Friday, Sept. 27, beneath Times Square’s larger-than-life digital billboards at 46th Street—where images of Oprah Winfrey, Armani spokesmodel Madisin Rian, and the cover of Ta-Nehisi Coates’ latest novel flickered on and off—there was a palpable buzz. The reason for the buzz was the 27 foot high sheathed figure at the western corner of the plaza, and the man responsible for what was beneath it.
The buzz kept growing as art world stalwarts like Thelma Golden, Antwaun Sargent, and founder of the eponymous Sean Kelly Gallery arrived and joined the throng. It grew further with the spirited appearance and performance of Newark, New Jersey’s Malcolm X Shabazz Marching Band, and with the appearance of each successive speaker, finally reaching a fever pitch as artist Kehinde Wiley took the clear, acrylic podium.
The unveiling of Wiley’s monumental sculpture “Rumors of War” was the culmination of a partnership between Sean Kelly Gallery, the Times Square Alliance, and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The monument will remain in Time Square until Dec. 1, then move to its permanent home near Richmond, Va.’s Arthur Ashe Boulevard outside the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
Wiley’s commentary on the many Confederate statues dotting the U.S. landscape to this day, captures in bronze on a stone pedestal traditional American artistic iconography of heroism and power. It features a young Black man in dreadlocks, astride a horse in forward motion, suggesting fierceness, agency and virility. He is decked out in urban jeans, his sweatshirt is hooded.
Speakers noted the significance of Wiley’s creation beyond artistic considerations. Commissioner of New York City’s Department of Cultural Affairs Tom Finklepearl congratulated the city of Richmond (the former capital of the Confederacy) on choosing to display “Rumors of War.”
Finklepearl also emphasized the importance of artists. “It matters a lot to us,” he said, “that the greatest artists of our generation have to be involved. It’s not simply a matter of putting up a monument, but how does that monument express itself and what kind of artist makes that monument?”
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney gave an impassioned speech. “Richmond isn’t the same city we were 100 years ago. Today we are stronger because of our diversity. We are stronger because of our inclusivity.” Referencing Wiley’s 2016 visit to Richmond where he got inspired to create “Rumors of War,” Stoney stated, “I think [Wiley] saw that when he visited us. In Richmond, ‘Rumors of War’ will be our symbolic battle cry. It will be our guide on our newly renamed Arthur Ashe Boulevard, riding boldly and fearlessly into the future!”
VMFA board of trustees President Dr. Monroe Harris also addressed the crowd. Referring to Wiley’s sculpture, he stated, “It’s absolutely monumental in pure size and beauty. But it’s also monumental in the message that it gives. It says that a Black man or Black woman can be displayed in regal splendor on a horse in the capital of the Confederacy.”
State Senator Brad Hoyleman’s remarks were pointed. “Thank you,” he told Wiley, “for continuing to inspire us as New Yorkers, as Americans to battle racism—racism that sadly extends across our country all the way to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.”
One onlooker sported a pink T-shirt with the artist’s name emblazoned across the chest in green glitter. She revealed that her name was Patricia and she had traveled from Richmond for the unveiling. “I followed him to Washington when he did the Obama portrait, and I’m gonna be there in Richmond when they unveil this there. He’s a Renaissance artist who brings controversial issues about what exactly is going on and places them in front of us.”
Wiley, in a fitted blue, white and orange Ankara suit, took the audience with him on the journey that led to his decision to create “Rumors of War;” a biblical reference to the passage in Matthew that ironically reassures the reader not to be alarmed by intense conflict between men.
Wiley began, “The story starts with going to Virginia and seeing the monuments that line the streets. But it’s also about being in this Black body. I’m a Black man walking those streets. I’m looking up at those things that give me a sense of dread, and fear. What does that feel like physically to walk a public space, and to have your state, your country, your nation say this is what we stand by?” he asked. “We want more, we demand more, we creative people create more. And today, we say yes to something that looks like us, we say yes to inclusivity, we say yes to broader notions of what it what it means to be an American!” he concluded to explosive applause.
Actresses and art lovers Lorraine Toussaint and CCH Pounder were also present. Pounder revealed that she specifically flew up from New Orleans where she is shooting “NCIS New Orleans” in order to be here for the unveiling. A longtime fan of Wiley’s, she said, “I’ve followed him from a very young age. I’ve known his family from in California for years.” As to how she felt about the event and its significance, she stated, “I think Kehinde has conquered the language of the art world and has something to offer that’s extremely powerful in terms of
our history.”