Brooklyn Sculptures

If the public sculptures we visited were pins on a digital map the idea or theme I would use to connect them would be unification and prosperity. I would especially use the theme or idea of prosperity and unification for the Sky’s the Limit in the County of Kings sculpture by Sherwin Banfield which is a tribute to the Notorious B.I.G and created in the year 2022 and for the Henry Ward Beecher sculpture by Gutzon Borglum which was installed in 1914 because although one controversial what it was meant to portray in my opinion was both themes mentioned before, prosperity and unification. The stories both sculptures would tell when juxtaposed in a map is the journey of African Americans throughout history and the struggles and discrimination they had to face but, yet still overcame and prospered leading to the unification of not only African Americans and Whites but of other diverse cultures and backgrounds. In my opinion, the sculpture by Sherwin Banfield of the Notorious B.I.G reinforces the idea of “we are all one” and that despite our differences for instance, color we are all deserving of empathy, love, respect and compassion. The sculpture by Gutzon Borglum of Henry Ward Beecher although controversial I think if your able to find the true meaning of the sculpture then it can reinforce the idea of unity and compassion too because in the sculpture he is seen with open arms which makes him look more welcoming and eager to create this unification between Whites and African Americans. It also seems like his other hand is reaching down towards the people below him which also reinforces the idea of compassion and empathy also portrayed in Sherwin Banfield sculpture. All in all, both sculptures can tell us that Brooklyn all together is home to many cultures, backgrounds and races and that we all belong and are welcomed.