MILWAUKEE– A new public art installation honoring the late Vel R. Phillips has been unveiled in downtown Milwaukee.
“I Didn’t Do It Alone” is a sculpture created by nationally-renowned artist Karyn Olivier.
It features a bronze desk, chair, telephone, pen, and papers carved with Phillips’ real handwriting.
“How ​do ​I ​continue ​her ​legacy? ​How ​do ​I ​keep ​her ​alive ​and ​how ​do ​I ​keep ​people ​thinking ​about ​her in ​this ​moment, ​but ​also ​the ​future. ​I ​had ​to ​do ​a ​work ​where ​it ​would ​feel ​as ​though ​it’s ​an ​invitation ​for ​you ​to ​engage ​the ​work,” says Artist Karyn Olivier.
The installation is the city’s largest contribution to a public art project ever.
It’s located in Vel R. Phillips plaza on Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Milwaujee.
Phillips was the state’s first Black secretary of state and judge. She was also the first Black woman elected to the city’s Common Council.
“I’m ​hoping ​it’s ​just ​a ​reminder ​because ​of ​that ​empty ​chair ​and ​that ​imitation ​that ​we ​each ​can ​be ​a ​Vel ​Phillips. ​We ​all ​can ​do ​that ​work, ​and ​we ​can ​all ​can ​impact ​our ​community,” says Olivier.
