Kara Walker Transforms Collapsed Confederate Monument Into Impactful Artwork

In a significant act of artistic engagement, artist Kara Walker has reinterpreted a dismantled Confederate statue into a striking new work titled “Unmanned Drone.” Initially, the statue was a 13-foot-tall representation of Confederate General “Stonewall” Jackson, unveiled in 1921 beside the Albemarle County Courthouse in Charlottesville, VA. This statue, a symbol of the Confederate past, was taken down in 2021 amid heightened national discussions regarding race and historical memory, and was later entrusted to Walker for its metamorphosis.

Walker’s “Unmanned Drone,” currently displayed in MOCA and the Brick’s exhibition “Monuments,” signifies a bold reimagining of the original statue. The sculptural work features fragmented forms—integrating human and equestrian aspects in a way that aims to disturb and provoke thought. This disassembly and reconfiguration confronts the glorification of Confederate figures, representing them as ghostly apparitions of their former selves. Walker has stripped Jackson of his dignity, portraying his figure with the grotesque combination of human and animal, dragging himself with dismembered limbs and a lowered sword.

The artist has consistently examined themes related to racial identity and power structures, particularly within the historical context of the American South. With “Unmanned Drone,” Walker furthers this inquiry by literally disassembling a symbol of white dominance. The process has been likened by Walker herself to butchery, reflecting both devastation and rebirth.

In her reflections, Walker shares the healing potential in re-evaluating such monuments: “There’s a healing aspect to doing this show, I think.” The exhibition seeks to engage the audience with the charged history of these objects and their shifting significance. Curators like Bennett Simpson have highlighted the necessity of situating these monuments within modern artistic dialogue, asserting that these platforms are vital for questioning and re-envisioning historical narratives.

Running until May 3, 2026, “Monuments” contrasts decommissioned artifacts with innovative creations from 19 contemporary artists. This venture encourages a conversation about the roles these historical markers have played and their possibilities for reinterpretation in both the present and the future. Through works such as “Unmanned Drone,” the exhibition presents art as a facilitator in the dialogue about memory, identity, and justice. Visitors to the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA are invited to engage in this ongoing discussion, contemplating how history might be told in ways that bridge the past with a more inclusive future.