At Georgia State Capitol, MLK statue joins ironic neighbors

As discussions about the future of statues with Confederate and Jim Crow-Era ties come to a head, a new monument has joined a crowded (and somewhat ironic) cohort around the Georgia State Capitol.

This morning, a molded-bronze sculpture of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was revealed at the Gold Dome—the first new monument on the grounds in 20 years. According to a report by WABE, the unveiling has been a long time coming.

Work began more than two years ago to find an artist to craft the sculpture as a legacy to King, who was born and who preached less than two miles from the Capitol. Unfortunately, the artist who was selected, Andy Davis, was killed in a motorcycle accident before work began.

A second artist, Martin Dawe, was then picked to complete the eight-foot sculpture, which he called “the most difficult portrait I’ve ever done in my whole career," in an interview with "City Lights."

Georgia Building Authority via WABE

The sculpture will be a welcome addition to the Capitol grounds. A report by WABE indicates King will be the first African-American memorialized at the statehouse, joining what is characterized as a collection “dominated by statues of white supremacists.”

While discussions about the future of other Atlanta statues have certainly just begun, the King memorial is a fitting first step to honor his legacy more permanently downtown. Depicted in mid-stride, the sculpture overlooks King’s old neighborhood, his head held high.

Fittingly, it’s the 54th anniversary of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

Screenshot via live AJC broadcast

• Georgia Capitol To Unveil Martin Luther King Jr. Statue [WABE]
• Monuments To White Supremacist Men Dominate Ga. Capitol Grounds [WABE]