The Wind Still Whispers

My work is dedicated to uncovering tragedies and exploring the unfinished dreams of those whose lives were cut short. By examining my family archives, I see my family as a symbol embodying these unrealized aspirations. The story of my great-grandfather, a Mississippi native who migrated to East Saint Louis, IL, only to be forced to flee during the 1917 racial massacre that displaced over 6,000 Black residents and killed approximately 250, profoundly influences my work. This history drives my mission to rediscover and memorialize these lost voices.

*Wind Still Whispers* is a site-responsive exhibition at STNDRD in Granite City, Illinois, near historic East St. Louis. The centerpiece is a wind chime constructed from found materials, such as old, used fences that sway with the wind, symbolizing displacement. The bells stand in for voicelessness, and the tethered gold bricks represent the desire for rebuilding. The wind chime creates a soundscape that echoes the voices silenced by racial violence.

This space is designed for reflection and conversation, encouraging visitors to critically engage with the historical and ongoing issues of racism, violence, and marginalization in America that still resonate today.

This work reflects the solemn and sacred nature of the memorial, focusing on themes of loss, memory, and healing. My aim is to encapsulate the auditory and visual elements of the wind chime while honoring the historical significance of one of America’s most notable but under-reported tragedies.

Photos: Courtesy STNDRD Exhibitions