Photo Friday: Detroit – Ontario Underground Railroad Memorial

Nikon D300,  Nikkor 12-24mm f/4 @ 14mm, ISO 200,  1/250 @ f/11

In the years leading up to the Civil War, Detroit was the last stop on an arduous and dangerous journey to freedom for many people.   The Underground Railroad was a secretive web of brave Americans who dedicated their lives to helping slaves escape captivity and make their way to freedom in Canada.  Detroit was an important “station” on the way.

Nikon D300,  Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 @ 27mm, ISO 200,  1/200 @ f/10

On October 20, 2001 two memorials, by artist Ed Dwight, were installed on the banks of the Detroit River, one in Detroit (Hart Plaza) and one in Windsor, Ontario.  The purpose of the installation was to remember and memorialize the slaves and “conductors” of the Underground Railroad. 

Nikon D300,  Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 @ 55mm, ISO 200,  1/125 @ f/10

The sculpture on the Detroit side shows nine slaves and a conductor, the conductor is pointing toward Windsor and freedom for the slave family.

Nikon D300,  Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 @ 56mm, ISO 200,  1/160 @ f/10

The Sculpture tugs at the viewer’s heart and expresses feelings of fear, uncertainty, hope and freedom.  The mother protectively hugging her child is particularly moving.

I have not had the opportunity to go over to Windsor to see the other portion of the memorial but I plan to soon.

I am honored to have one of my images of the memorial on display at the Bean & Leaf Café in Royal Oak, MI during the months of August and September.

Thanks to Debbie of Delicious Baby for organizing Photo Friday and spreading such wonderful images across the Web.

© Tim Marks all rights reserved

Comments

[Dominique]

Congratulations for having one of your photos in the Bean & Leaf Show! I'm proud of you :)

[Amy @ The Q Family]

I really love the 2nd picture. The cloud did give the statue some powerful meaning.

[Wanderluster]

So is that second photo a B&W? It's hard to tell if it is or if the clouds are just covering up the blue sky. Love these close ups.

[Tim]

Thanks all
Yep the second picture is B+W, the rest are all color. i thought the B+W version had more impact. The photo in the exhibit (not shown here) is also B+W and a different shot but a variation of the second one.

[Cate]

Thats great news that the B/L is showing your work. These are terrific shots, sometimes it's hard to capture a memorial creatively, but you have a good eye.My shots end up as just being a memorial and nothing more. Very interesting story.

[Lora]

Congratulations on having your art displayed! Fantastic images. I didn't know about Detroit being part of the underground. Hope to learn more. Thanks for turning me on to this!

[Tim]

Thanks for the good wishes. Cate, Dominique and Lora

Cate
I think my approach is to take an overall shot and then move in. I tend to take a lot of pictures (these are just a few of probably 50 of this monument taken that day) Most sculptors of this type of monument are really excellent at detail and I try to capture that.

[marina k. villatoro]

I didn't realize detroit had such a rich history! They kind of remind of me of the statues located in Battery Park, Manhattan.

Congratulations on having your pictures displayed!

[Heather on her travels]

That's a great way to use sculpture to mark an important page in the history books

[Jen@TwoKidsandaMap]

The second photo is so cool with the dark statue and cloudy background.

[Tim]

Again thanks to everyone. Such an important part of our history and so many people don't know the story.
BTW there is s wonderful underground railroad museum on the banks of another important river - the Ohio - in Cincinnati. If you get a chance go visit it.

[Sharon Gittleman]

I saw your work at Bean and Leaf today and am so impressed with it. What a moving photograph! I can't wait to see your future exhibitions.