Art Installation to Honor Enslaved People of Fort Defiance

LENOIR, NC - A new art installation commemorating the enslaved individuals who lived

and worked at Fort Defiance will be unveiled during a public dedication ceremony on

Saturday, March 29th at 11:00 AM. The installation, created by artist Israel Solomon, a

descendant of one of the plantations enslaved workers, serves as a testament to the profound impact these individuals had on the economic foundation of both the Lenoir family and Caldwell County.

The artwork will stand as a permanent memorial in the exhibit room dedicated to telling

the stories of the enslaved people who worked the land. The installation recognizes

resilience and tradition while incorporating the surrounding landscape.

"Its deeply gratifying to see our ancestors honored in beautifully crafted and curated

images. These vibrant, colorful panels recall the entirety of the lives of enslaved people

here, not just their bondage," said Dr. Leslie McKesson, descendant and Curator of the

permanent enslaved exhibit at Ft. Defiance.

Descendants of those who were enslaved at Fort Defiance will be present for the

dedication, including Rosalind Lenoir-Zachary and her brother William Lenoir, who

stated, "We are extremely happy to have a visual dedication honoring the efforts and

spirit of our ancestors who labored at Fort Defiance."

Artist Israel Solomon states; When presented with this project, I wanted to ensure the

work that I produced was based on the realities of what slavery was for Black America,

but also wanted to reflect the resilience and beauty of black culture."

Solomon explains, "Being made aware that I have family heritage and roots from this

plantation, I know that family, togetherness, and faith were a part of the people of Fort

Defiance. I believe this because I understand the love that our family shares to this day.

These themes are portrayed within the work, along with the reality of sorrow, pain, and

heartbreak that comes from our history. Families being split up and sold, over-

exhaustion, and mourning loved ones gone too soon are coupled with mentorship, faith,

and perseverance.

Solomon's installation portrays these themes alongside the historical realities of slavery.

“It is my hope that this work is a reminder of the challenges that our ancestors survived

through, but also honors their lives, the struggles that they overcame, and their

descendants that live on to this day and continue to break barriers while prospering.“

The dedication ceremony is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be

served following the ceremony. Fort Defiance, a historic plantation house built in 1792,

is located in Caldwell County, NC.

About the Artist:

Israel Solomon is a visual artist based in Indianapolis, Indiana, whose unique style has

often been compared to cubism. He earned his Masters degree in art education from

Marian University in 2019 and has collaborated with organizations including the

Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Major League Soccer, and Starbucks. His work has

been acquired by the Indiana State Museum, Eskenazi Hospital, and IU McKinley Law

School.