Chieftan Statue - by Geraldine McCullough
The 7-foot-tall bronze sculpture portrays Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as an African 15th century Benin chieftain. The casting was commissioned to create a symbol of peace following the riots of 1968 after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King.
Location: Peace and Justice Plaza in front of WHA Austin Wellness Center
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The sculptor noted similarities between Kings's facial features and those of tribal group inhabiting ancient Benin in southern Nigeria and decided to portray her subject as a Bini ruler. She was aware that Benin was famous for the artistic merits of bronze castings, and just as the sculpture of Benin has complex symbolism, so too the bronze image of civil rights leader. To call to attention his philosophy of non-violence, she placed in one hand a broken sword with cross shaped handle. The hand holds a prayer wheel meant to refer to universal prayer and Gandhi's philosophy of passive resistance. Around the neck the tiger tooth necklace worn by Benin royalty and the Nobel Peace Prize medallion awarded to King in 1964. The row of heard on the crown represents King's followers. Above is dove of peace.
The statue was originally installed in 1973, on the site where a structure had been burned down during the rioting that followed King's death and a new MLK Plaza Apartment complex was constructed. The statue commemorates King's time when he came to west side to start the Chicago Freedom Movement to protest the deplorable tenement housing Blacks lived in.
The statue stood in the lawn of MLK Apartment complex for about 30 years, and gradually fell into disrepair. Its concrete base and steel posts were severely damaged. There was fear of the statue toppling over and causing injuries. City inspectors forced management to remove the statue and it was put into storage in 2011. Its fate was unknown.
Art historian Rickie Brown, president of West Side Historical Society (WSHS) understood the significance of the statue. He fought to save the bronze statue from the scrap heap. He was able to obtain the sculpture from the management and he wants it to be a centerpiece for a proposed museum honoring notable West Side residents. Until the museum is built, the statue has been placed in from of WHA's Austin Wellness Center on Chicago's West side.
The resurrected statue was unveiled in 2015 in a newly constructed plaza from the sculpture, "Peace and Justice Plaza" in front of WHA Austin Wellness Center. Money was raised by public subscription. It was unveiled as part of the one-year anniversary of renaming a portion of Cicero Avenue - from Roosevelt to West Grand Avenue - Mandela Road.
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