Celebrating the legacy of one of the country's most inspiring literary figures, the San Francisco Main Library has become the permanent home to 'Portrait of a Phenomenal Woman, A Monument Honoring Dr. Maya Angelou.' The monument, crafted by artist Lava Thomas, takes a notable place as the first public depiction of a Black woman in the city's Civic Art Collection, kicked off by legislation from Supervisor Mark Farrell to increase the presence of such representation in public art in 2017.
Dr. Angelou's family members, including her grandson Elliott Jones and her niece Rosa Johnson, attended the event to commemorate this historic occasion. [Elliott Jones previously wrote for Hoodline and sister publication SFist.]
During the unveiling, which saw the intersection of art and civic pride, Mayor London Breed reflected on Angelou's indelible mark on society. "The remarkable life and legacy of Dr. Maya Angelou has inspired countless individuals, and she will now shine as a beacon of inspiration for future generations of San Franciscans who will visit our Main Library," Mayor Breed told SF Arts Commission.
The installation acknowledges Dr. Angelou's storied connection with San Francisco, where she became the city's first African American female streetcar conductor, and coincides with national efforts to bolster female representation in the public domain. "Dr. Maya Angelou is a phenomenal woman of many firsts," said Ralph Remington, Director of Cultural Affairs, who noted Dr. Angelou's historical significance to the SF Arts Commission.
Standing at nine feet and weighing 6,900 pounds, the bronze behemoth was produced by Walla Walla Foundry and set firmly on a basalt base provided by American Soil and Stone. The sculpture, a stylized book bearing Dr. Angelou's likeness, features one of her most famous quotes, Still I Rise, etched into its base. It silently welcomes library visitors as a place where they walk through its doors joined in the universal tapestry of human emotions and experiences.
To compliment today's installation, the Public Library released a special edition library card, graced with the portrait of Dr. Angelou herself, drawn by Lava Thomas. "I am absolutely thrilled to celebrate the remarkable legacy of Dr. Maya Angelou with the unveiling of Portrait of a Phenomenal Woman: A Monument to Honor Dr. Maya Angelou for the San Francisco Library," the artist expressed to SF Arts Commission.