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

(Un)Known Project selects Louisville artist William M. Duffy for Limestone Reconciliation Benches

Artist William M. Duffy, a sculptor with 40 years of experience, has been selected as the lead artist for the (Un)Known Project’s Limestone Reconciliation Benches, which will be conceptualized and created with community input, and informed by the stories of (un)known enslaved Black people and hidden figures in Louisville, KY.  

Duffy was selected through an application process facilitated by the (Un)Known Project partners, including IDEAS xLab, Roots 101, Frazier Museum, and Louisville Metro Public Art, along with application panelists from the Louisville community including artists Ed Hamilton and Jaylin Stewart.  

“I believe the bench project will convey respect for and dignity to forgotten people whose stories will educate and inspire people for generations,” said Duffy about (Un)Known Project. Excited to get started, Duffy plans to collaborate with artist Dave Caudill on the engagement. “Dave’s experience in structure and metal complements my own skills and our teamwork expands conceptual capabilities for both of us.”  

“We believe Duffy’s artistic experience and passion for engaging the community is going to infuse life and energy into the Limestone Reconciliation Benches, which will be installed overlooking the Ohio River, facing Indiana – which would have been the beginning of the road to freedom for enslaved people,” said Hannah Drake and Josh Miller of IDEAS xLab.  

As a public art installation, the benches are planned to be installed in Spring/Summer 2021, as part of the multi-component project, which will include A Journey In Our Footprints along River Road, the (Un)Known Project product line (launching in February 2021 for pre-order), and more.  

Visit ideasxlab.com/unknown to learn more!  

Photo by Josh Miller, courtesy of IDEAS xLab.

More about (Un)Known Project: 

(Un)Known Project was created to support Louisville – the 4th most segregated city in America – in its current efforts in dealing with racism and inequity, the (Un)Known Project will create an artistic space and experiences that will support learning, healing, reflection, reconciliation, and action by telling the stories - of both known and unknown – Black men, women and children that were formerly enslaved and hidden figures in Louisville, Kentucky.  

The (Un)Known Project is led by Hannah Drake and Josh Miller as a collaboration between artist-led nonprofit IDEAS xLab, the Frazier History Museum, Roots 101, various departments within Louisville MetroGovernment, and will incorporate Louisville’s history and heritage to create limestone benches, poetry, photography, and arts-based experiences along the Ohio River. Serving as a cultural heritage destination, the (Un)Known Project will be co-created as a significant marker in Louisville, designating the location as a monumental site and symbol of African American history - centering on the Black contribution to Kentucky. 

The (Un)Known Project has received support from the National Endowment for the Arts, Brown-Forman, Republic Bank, and contributions from individual donors. Sponsorship opportunities are  available – email unknownproject@ideasxlab.com to learn more, and visit ideasxlab.com/unknown or text unknown to 44-321 to donate. 

About the artist: William M. Duffy  

William M. Duffy hails from Louisville, Kentucky. Always having a special talent for drawing, Duffy graduated from the Louisville School of Art with a B.F.A. in painting. Not content with two-dimensional art, Duffy taught himself to carve stone and has been refining and working in his craft for 40 years. 

Duffy has shown his emotive figurative and abstract sculptures in exhibitions throughout the United States. He’s been commissioned to do sculptures for public, corporate and private collections. Phillip Morris Tobacco, Brown-Forman Corporation, Kentucky Fried Chicken (now YUM! Brands), National City Bank, Humana Inc., Red Geranium Enterprises of New Harmony, Indiana, The Louisville Orchestra, The Bingham Foundation for Women, Farmington Historic Home and J.B. Speed Art Museum own his work. He was commissioned by the Kentucky Arts Council to create the awards for the 2007-08 Kentucky Governor’s Awards in the Arts. 

In addition to being an artist, Duffy has also worked as an educator. For more than 35 years he has shared his artistic skills with students in public and private schools and in community centers throughout the Louisville Metro Area. 

Visit www.wmduffy.com for more information.