Is it possible for a sculpture to encapsulate a dream? Here before us stands the Martin Luther King Jr. Bust. It is more than just bronze. It embodies the hopes and aspirations of a movement.
This Martin Luther King Jr. Bust is a tribute to an iconic leader. It stands as a reminder of his tireless fight for civil rights. The Martin Luther King Jr. Bust was created by African-American artist Charles Alston in 1970. This was just two years after King’s assassination. Reverend Donald S. Harrington commissioned Alston. He wanted a bust of King for the Community Church of New York. The commission was for $5,000. Five bronze casts were made in 1970. Each stood approximately 13 inches high.
One cast of the Martin Luther King Jr. Bust found its way to the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery in 1974. Since 2000, it has been on long-term loan to the White House. It was first displayed in the White House Library. It was reputedly the first image of an African American on public display there.
In 2009, Barack Obama moved the Martin Luther King Jr. Bust to the Oval Office. It was displayed alongside a bust of Abraham Lincoln. It replaced a bust of Winston Churchill. Donald Trump later placed another Churchill bust in the Oval Office. However, he also retained the Martin Luther King Jr. Bust.
Even as Joe Biden began his presidency in 2021, Alston’s sculpture remained prominent. It is currently displayed near a bust of Robert F. Kennedy. Both sculptures flank the fireplace in the office.
Another cast of Alston’s Martin Luther King Jr. Bust was donated to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in January 2016.
But there’s another Martin Luther King Jr. Bust located here in New York. This 1970 bronze bust of Dr. King was created by Stan Sawyer. It stands in Harlem at the Esplanade Gardens. You can find it between 147th and 151st Streets along the Harlem River.
A plaque at the base displays words from King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. It speaks of a dream rooted in the American dream. It envisions a nation where all are created equal. The dream extends to the red hills of Georgia. Former slaves and former slave owners will sit together. They will form a table of brotherhood. Freedom will ring from every village and hamlet. Black men and white men will join hands. They will sing “Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”
This Martin Luther King Jr. Bust may be small. But its message is powerful. It reminds us of the ongoing pursuit of equality and justice. It’s a testament to the enduring power of a dream. A dream that continues to inspire generations. It urges us to reflect on King’s legacy. It also calls us to act in our own communities. We must ensure his dream lives on. The Martin Luther King Jr. Bust stands as a beacon of hope. It shows progress is possible when we unite for a common cause.