Parts I and II were concerned with the burials and headstones. Part III delves in to the artist and design behind the memorial of the Freedman’s Cemetery, Dallas.
The memorial, designed by David Newton, a Detroit native, includes 5 sculptures. There are two free-standing sculptures at the entrance and two high-relief sculptures on the obverse. Additionally, there is one free-standing double sculpture in the center of the memorial. Poems, written by Dallas school children, are sculpted in to the walls of the memorial.
From Newton’s biography on his website: “Each artist must discover his or her own creative compass in order to find a wellspring of artistic inspiration. I am also inspired to depict African Americans in bronze – a color-blind medium – with hope that it may translate for others as a ‘color-blind’ interpretation of pure, distilled beauty, strength, grace, and form.”
Looking at Newton’s bronze masterworks – such as Dream of Freedom, Violated Soul, and Echo – tell the tale of mankind’s immersion into the emotions of a stolen people. It is no accident that his art has become the voice of under- privileged citizens of this country – regardless of ancestry.
Article below: Written by the sculptor, David Newton.
Reminder: this article was written in 2017.
Topic: public historic works of art.
Image: David Newton, in front of the Freedman’s Memorial, Dallas Texas, is from the article below. The other images are my own.
https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/visual-arts/2017/09/03/freedman-s-cemetery-sculptor-on-dallas-confederate-statue-let-the-community-decide/
