Artist Kara Walker Transforms Dismantled Confederate Statue into ‘Haunted’ Sculpture

Los Angeles, CA – Artist Kara Walker has unveiled a striking new sculpture created from the remains of a former Confederate monument, transforming the bronze figure of General Stonewall Jackson into a disfigured, purgatorial form.

The artwork, titled Unmanned Drone (2023), is part of Walker’s exhibition, “Monuments,” opening October 23 at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA in Los Angeles. The original equestrian statue of Jackson was removed from Charlottesville, Virginia in 2021 and acquired by The Brick, formerly LAXART. Walker dissected and reassembled the statue, depicting the horseman dragging his sword across a ruined battlefield, a stark contrast to the original portrayal of a charging general.

Walker described the sculpture as a “haint,” a Southern concept rooted in Gullah Geechee culture referring to a spirit roaming and seeking vengeance. “She likened the result to a haint…the imagination of the Lost Cause having to recognize itself for what it is,” according to recent reports. The dismantling and reimagining of Confederate monuments has become a focal point in ongoing debates about public memory and racial justice in the United States. Further information about the historical context of Confederate monuments can be found at the Southern Spaces website.

The exhibition also features other works engaging with the themes of historical reckoning and representation. You can learn more about Kara Walker’s broader artistic practice on her official website.

Officials at MOCA stated the exhibition aims to provoke dialogue about the complex legacy of monuments and their role in shaping public understanding of history.