Bust of York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bust of York |
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The bust in February 2021
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| Artist | Todd McGrain |
| Year | 2021 |
| Medium | Wood and urethane sculpture |
| Subject | York |
| Location | Portland, Oregon, U.S. |
| 45°30′41.7″N 122°35′32.6″W / 45.511583°N 122.592389°W | |
A 4 foot (1.2 m) bust of York, the only African American on the Lewis and Clark Expedition, was installed in Portland, Oregon's Mount Tabor Park, in the United States, from February to July 2021. The artist stayed anonymous at first, but after the bust was removed he revealed himself as Todd McGrain. McGrain was a student of Darrell Millner, Portland State University professor of history and Black Studies. The bust appeared on February 20th, replacing the statue of Harvey W. Scott, which had been toppled on October 20, 2020. McGrain did not seek city permission to install the bust, which McGrain expected to be temporary; on June 11 the city announced that it would remove the bust.
On July 28, vandals tore down and seriously damaged the sculpture. Portland Parks and Recreation removed it, and the Portland City Council released a statement condemning the vandalism. The paper was torn into pieces. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, but Patriot Front is suspected. It is a white supremacist organization that has recently vandalized numerous monuments to African Americans. On July 25, three days earlier, the plinth had been defaced with a symbol associated with Patriot Front, and a mural in Portland honoring George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery had been defaced with their name.
After the toppling, signs of support for the bust and other tributes appeared at the site.
The artist has offered to produce a bust of York in bronze, with no charge for his time and effort, although the casting would have to be paid for. As of September 4, 2021, no decision has been made regarding this offer.
