On the Banks of Freedom Public Art Installation

On the Banks of Freedom is the (Un)Known Project’s first public art installation located on the banks of the Ohio River, which served as a dividing line between Kentucky – a slave state and Indiana- a free state.

Created by Kentucky based artists, William M Duffy (lead artist and sculptor) and Dave Caudill (co-artist and sculptor), On the Banks of Freedom is a creation of two limestone benches engraved with the names of those who were enslaved in Kentucky along with portraits representing an enslaved man and woman. Intermingled within the names is the word unknown representing the people who lived but whose names are lost to history. The quotes on the back of the benches are from Jefferson County Public School Justice Now participates and Lamont Collins, founder and CEO of Roots 101. Around the base of the benches are broken chains symbolizing freedom. The benches sit atop a concrete platform where sets of footprints representing enslaved people are sandblasted along the border, allowing people to stand in them and look across the Ohio River into Indiana.

The public art installation is located off 10th and Main Street in downtown Louisville along the Louisville Riverwalk. You can find the location on Google Maps.

On the Banks of Freedom was a gift to the City of Louisville from (Un)Known Project and now part of the city’s public art collection.

On the second Saturday of each month, join us for the (Un)Known Project Public Art Experience at On the Banks of Freedom. Click here to learn more.

Press release: Artist William M. Duffy selected for (Un)Known Project Limestone Reconciliation Benches

Photos by Josh Miller and Shachaf Polakow.