Last week, Easton saw the unveiling of a 21×16 foot mural of Frederick Douglass. It was created by Park City, Utah-based artist Adam Himoff, whose hope is that the modern rendition of the famous abolitionist will stimulate timely conversations about race, justice, and Douglass’s enduring connection to the Eastern Shore region.
Located next door to the Out of the Fire Restaurant on Washington Street, the project was conceived by Richard Marks and Amy Haines with support from Talbot Arts and Dock Street Foundation. “In 2016, my wife, Amy (owner of Out of the Fire), and I purchased a property on Washington Street in Easton,” said Marks. “Since we love art and particularly enjoy seeing how art displayed publicly integrates with the surrounding community, we recognized the brick wall facing south would be an excellent place for a mural.”
Also in a contemplative state was Himoff. He’d decided to close his finance firm to concentrate on his work as a linocut artist. In this printmaking technique, a design is carved on a linoleum block, from which prints can be made. To critical acclaim, Himoff had been creating colorful representational images of iconic figures (such as Mick Jagger and Andy Warhol) but began to wonder how he could bring historical figures into modern times. One of the people who came to mind was Douglass. As an undergraduate English literature major, he had been impacted by the biographies and speeches written by the abolitionist.
Modernizing Douglass juxtaposed against the backdrop of contemporary issues felt like a compelling creative challenge for the artist. “I wanted to capture his essence, but not necessarily the literal details of his life,” Himoff said. “What was available to me was his expression–seriousness, courage, fearlessness, and confidence. Then I created these other elements–he’s in the suit, crouched down, wearing Converse shoes and a nice watch.” Also, unlike his previous work, this was created in black and white. This depiction of a contemporary Douglass, Himoff felt, would allow the viewer to imagine Douglass’s role and life if he were alive today and wonder how his influence would impact the current struggle for justice and equality.
Himoff knew it was the right person at the right time, yet once completed, he wasn’t sure who would be interested in the project beyond his immediate network of friends and family. So, he shared it on social media. Almost immediately, he heard from an African-American music teacher. “She said she loved it and asked if she could share it on her Instagram feed. Within a short time, people in her network reacted. And the feedback was very validating.”
Then, someone who knew someone who knew Marks shared it with him. Seeing the image inspired Marks to commit to the project and the artist.
But before it became a mural, an art consultant, who also found the image on social media, reached out to Himoff. The ACLU in New York City wanted one of the original 40 print editions for their headquarters. The same image is now part of the ACLU permanent collection.
Of course, Easton is also the perfect location for such an impactful public art piece and as discussions began around bringing the project here, Himoff started revisiting more of Douglass’s biographies and exploring the more profound history and connection to the area. The artist was moved by what he learned. “I get the sense of responsibility that people feel this need to maintain his legacy,” he said.
The revealing of the mural along Easton’s historic architecture has certainly sparked reaction and discussion, just as the artist anticipated. Himoff has received positive feedback from many in the black community who felt a connection to this contemporary portrayal of a legendary leader. This was the case the Spy observed as we waited for the artist to join us for the interview.
A woman named Lisa Taylor walked into the building looking for more information. She is from DC and was in town for the Waterfowl Festival. Her husband had seen the mural the night before and had been touched by it, and since Taylor’s mother attended the Frederick Douglass High School in Elm City, North Carolina, he knew it would be of great interest to her as well. Taylor took several pictures, bought a poster and t-shirt (merchandise is available for sale with proceeds to benefit the Frederick Douglass Honor Society scholarship fund) and then said:
“So the story in this mural is about how the then transforms into the now. And an artist brought it all together today so that young people can say, ‘Okay, well, maybe I don’t know who this guy is, but he sure as hell is cool–with the watch and the Converse high-top sneakers. Let me pull out my phone and find out who this dude is.’ When they do that, it brings previous generations to today’s generation. Hopefully, it gets people thinking about what liberty means. So it’s like a rediscovery of him and his legacy from older people like me to young folks who would recognize the shoes and the watch. And the artist, Adam, yeah, he literally knocked it out of the park.”
Not that there haven’t also been disagreements and uncertainty about Douglass being depicted in a modern style. But Himoff welcomes these discussions as part of Douglass’s legacy of free speech and empowering marginalized voices. “Frederick Douglass would believe that that is an important and healing conversation to have,” he said.
Ultimately, the power of public art is bringing people together for dialogue and change. It is something that Himoff hopes to inspire through his creative work as he takes on more public art projects. Said Himoff, “I think it transforms communities, transforms neighborhoods. You’re not just creating something for somebody’s living room; it’s something that is eliciting a reaction. I love that dynamic; I love this notion of just creating a conversation about important issues.”
Michael Davis says
Back in the early 1970s, I lived on the Eastern Shore where the N-word was used openly and often. Within that subculture, the view of Frederick Douglass was that he was a thief. He stole himself without compensating his owner. Naming anything after Frederick was viewed as honoring a common criminal. No one was going to paint a mural of him, buit if they did, he’d been painted in prison garb. Instead, their spiritual ancestors put up monuments to Confederacy.
It is natural that our view of historical figures changes over time. The Talbot Boy monument gave locals the jollies until it didn’t. A modern Frederick Douglass is natural way of view him.
In the case of Douglass, it is much more than that. I think it is wonderflu Frederick is painted in a contemporary way because he is part of our world and not just as an historical figure. His writings are timeless, as powerful and relevant today as they were when he wrote them. He is a mondern inspiration – still ahead of his time as he was when he was alive. That mural is powerful statement of that.
Paul Callahan says
Mike, I grew up in Oxford during the 1970’s back when that town actually had racial diversity. I certainly agree that the “N” word was used by the adult population at that time far too freely. But I can add this observation, anytime a family was in need during those days, either black or white the community came together to assist them. Whites assisted blacks in need but also I saw great kindness from the black community when a white neighbor was in need. I can recall one elder in Oxford, who used that N-word as a common part of his vocabulary, spend great time and effort assisting Oxford Legend “Boo Boo Brokes” (an elder black gentleman) in ensuring the safety of his home and that he had heat that winter. All of us that grew up in Oxford during that period, either black or white, have a common saying – “we saw no color.” There seems to be a frenzy of what I call “hate history” where someone espouses the most extreme and promotes it as the standard. This can be very confusing and misleading to the influx of new residents who haven’t even yet learned the correct pronunciation of our county, calling it “Towlbit” instead of its correct pronunciation of “Taulbet.” (Sorry, I had to add that titbit of correct pronunciation for fun.)
Marty Sikes says
A huge thank you to Amy and Richard for once again contributing to our Talbot County community in such a thoughtful and beautiful way. I can’t wait to see this in person!
Al Sikes says
Amy and Richard, Thanks for your enduring contribution to our public life! Al
Josh Poore says
This depiction is distasteful and a disgrace to Douglass, his family and our community. The Tubman mural in Cambridge is so powerful because it accurately portrays her as she was and not revisionary history.
I have seen many African-American community members starting to speak up with their displeasure for this so-called art.
I am for creative licensing as it relates to the artist, and this has a place – in a gallery, on t-shirts, Etsy, or what have you, but not a 20ft mural in the county of his birthplace.
Marks and the community played a vital role in the removal of the unnecessary confederate statue on the courthouse, and now, with one action, have negated all that work. And with that, it opened the door for controversy. So one movement who felt the statue represented history and heritage (those who had to unwillingly fight a war may or may not have believed in) had to concede their position only to have revisionary history smeared back in their face. Granted, the sculpture needed to be removed for what it represented, as most, including myself, will agree.
Again, this has a place, but it’s not in Easton, Maryland- unless you provide equal opportunity for other historical inaccuracies to be represented. Perhaps Mayor Willey in a gold chain and flashing a gang sign to immortalize his service to our community. Where does it stop?
As a person with a young child, I will have a hard time explaining who Douglass actually was based on this misrepresentation.
Hugh Panero says
This a real gift to the community from Richard and Amy.
The contemporary depiction is a wonderful conversation starter about this historic figure and also very appealing to young people. Clearly, some out of the box thinking from all involved about displaying public art.
Thank you Richard & Amy, the artist, and Talbot Arts.
Eva M. Smorzaniuk MD says
A traffic stopper! I was blown away by this as I drove past the other day. Many thanks to Amy and Mark for bringing this to Easton, and to the artist for this brilliant concept!
Bishop Joel Marcus Johnson says
Many thanks to Amy and Richard for this contemporaneous portrait of Mr. Douglass.
Paul Callahan says
While promoting our rich African American history here in Talbot County is always welcome, this was a missed opportunity to add diversity in the portrayal of our heritage. Though Frederick Douglass was huge on the national scale, he had left Talbot County and spent his entire adult life elsewhere. There is another Talbot native, however, who survived slavery and went on to make significant and lasting contributions to the citizens of Talbot which still reverberates throughout our community today. Nathaniel “Nace” Hopkins was instrumental in the unification and healing process of post-Civil War Maryland and gained great respect and admiration of Talbot’s citizens – both black and white. Hopkins was instrumental in establishing the first free school for blacks here in Talbot, establishment of black communities where blacks owned their homes and property, and he along with other black leaders participated in elections and local politics. Hopkins was so well respected by the leaders of Talbot that they appointed him as a “road supervisor” for the Trappe district in the 1880’s. Hopkins’ greatest contribution however, was to establish Maryland’s (and probably our Nation’s) very first Emancipation Day celebration in Trappe which continues to this day and which we just celebrated a few weeks ago. This celebration originated through the herculean determination of Hopkins and from its origin has been promoted and celebrated by all Talbot Countians both black and white.
Richard Marks says
Paul,
Thanks for the reminder about “Nace” Hopkins. I attended the parade in Trappe on November 4th to celebrate his legacy; the crowd was sparse, but enthusiastic. I hope others have read the brief history you provided and acknowledge he deserves more recognition; the signage at the corner of Route 50 and Barber Road is hardly sufficient. Please let me know if you would like to pursue a mural in his honor and I would be pleased to consult on the project.
Richard