PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia’s controversy over awarding a direct commission for a permanent Harriet Tubman monument has aroused widespread national interest and a split among the city’s own statue advisory committee.
During a June 15 public input meeting, critics denounced city arts officials for giving the $500,000 commission to Wesley Wofford, who created the traveling “Journey to Freedom” statue, without an open-call process to seek submissions from other artists.
Since The Inquirer first reported on the statue conflict, the news has spread worldwide. Publications such as The Art Newspaper, Art Net News, Art Forum, The Griot, ssence.com, and Hyperallergic.com have all picked up on the story.
