Chicago artist Amanda Williams has unveiled a new public installation that challenges traditional narratives around monuments and prompts reflection on whose stories are commemorated in public spaces. The project, titled “Other Washingtons,” is situated around the 1902 statue of George Washington in Washington Park and features a series of flags, flagpoles, and banners that surround and partially obscure the original monument.
Williams’ work invites viewers to consider alternative representations by highlighting other individuals named Washington—figures who have made significant contributions culturally, historically, and locally. These include well-known national figures such as educator Booker T. Washington and scientist George Washington Carver, as well as musicians Dinah Washington and Grover Washington Jr., and local community members like former Chicago mayor Harold Washington, early childhood educator Candice Washington, and Benjamin Washington, a band director at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. College Preparatory High School.
The project is part of the broader Chicago Monuments Project, initiated by the city in 2020 to reevaluate public art and monuments, with a particular focus on addressing historical controversies and creating more inclusive commemorations. The effort is supported through partnerships involving the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, the Chicago Parks District, Monument Lab, and funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Through “Other Washingtons,” Williams seeks to connect local stories to national histories, emphasizing the ongoing impacts of systemic racism and segregation. She noted that the original George Washington statue reflects a historical narrative that contributed to structural inequalities in the surrounding neighborhood—a legacy shaped by exclusionary practices like redlining. According to Williams, concepts of freedom and democracy embodied by Washington were not originally inclusive of people of color, leading to enduring disparities.
The installation complements its physical presence with a digital platform that serves as a living archive. The website allows community members to share stories and names of Washingtons who have impacted them or their communities, contributing to an evolving record of recognition that extends beyond the monument’s flags and banners. Williams hopes the archive will find a permanent institutional home to continue preserving these histories.
Candice Washington, who serves as educator-in-residence for the project, is developing a curriculum designed to engage youth with the public art and the broader themes it raises. By involving students from schools near Washington Park in storytelling and creation, the initiative aims to help young people see themselves as active participants in history and to understand the importance of inclusion in public memory.
Williams described “Other Washingtons” as a way to expand our understanding of who deserves to be remembered and honored. The installation does not seek to erase existing histories but to enrich them by acknowledging the diverse individuals who have shaped communities and culture. It poses a critical question about the nature of monuments and who is placed on pedestals, encouraging viewers to reconsider established narratives and to advocate for more inclusive commemorative practices.