There is a name in the Haitian Creole language for women like Naomieh Jovin's mother: “Gwo Fanm.” Literally, “Big Woman,” a Gwo Fanm is a woman who stands out in life and stands up for the ones she loves. Centering around the women in her family as well as her own role in her family’s history, Jovin's Gwo Fanm photo essay consists of found images, original photography, audio interviews, and installations.
The gruesome monstrosity of whiteness undergirds America’s systems—haunting its public spaces, pedestals, and policies. Where do we go from here? This essay was originally published by Monument Lab on October 31, 2020. Since then, the monument of Robert E. Lee in Richmond was removed by the state in September 2021.
Unsettling Grounds is an augmented reality (AR) exhibition and interactive storytelling tool showcasing experimental and monumental works by Black, Brown, Indigenous, and rural artists. Inspired by Historic Woolen Mills in Charlottesville, Virginia, Unsettling Grounds invites audiences to uncover hidden histories of lesser-known struggles for freedom. Lead artist Marisa Williamson and Black cultural theorist Charles Athanasopoulos reflect on Unsettling Grounds as an artistic practice that haunts Charlottesville and narratives of its history.
Monument Lab—in partnership with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, the New Jersey Historical Commission, and RevolutionNJ—launched an Open Call for Artist Ideas to commission a new monumental performance series in New Jersey that will animate histories and legacies of the American Revolution in 2026.