Book Review: Monumental by Cat Dawson
Art historian Cat Dawson’s latest book, Monumental: How a New Generation of Artists Is Shaping the Memorial Landscape, challenges readers to reconsider the role of monuments in our society. In a world where statues of controversial figures like Cecil Rhodes and Robert E. Lee are being toppled, Dawson’s work invites us to think about the significance of these structures and the narratives they represent.
Dawson’s exploration of contemporary artists’ engagement with monumentality begins with Kara Walker’s groundbreaking sculpture, “A Subtlety,” which was displayed in the Domino Sugar Refinery in Brooklyn in 2014. This 75-foot sugar sculpture challenged traditional notions of monumentality by highlighting themes of gendered and racialized violence, consumption, and extraction. Dawson refers to this period as a “monument boom,” where artists are redefining the genre by unraveling historical exclusions that have been normalized in public spaces.
The book delves into the work of artists like Kehinde Wiley, Mark Bradford, and Lauren Halsey, who use Black and queer representational strategies to subvert traditional monuments. These artists explore themes of Atlantic slavery and its impact on American history, offering new perspectives on how we remember the past.
Dawson’s analysis emphasizes the importance of embracing ambivalence and impermanence in monument-making. Rather than presenting a singular, unchanging narrative, these artists challenge linear readings of history by incorporating ephemeral materials, blending binaries, and imagining alternative futures.
However, Dawson’s examination could benefit from a deeper exploration of the institutional contexts in which these new monuments are created. While the artworks discussed in the book are often displayed in prestigious museums like The Met and the Tate, the influence of these institutions on the artists’ work is not fully addressed. Understanding the power dynamics at play in these spaces would provide a more nuanced understanding of how monuments are shaped and interpreted.
Despite this limitation, Monumental offers a timely reflection on the future of monuments in a world grappling with issues of historical memory and social justice. As we witness the ongoing debates surrounding Confederate memorials and the Trump administration’s push for a “National Garden of American Heroes,” Dawson’s book urges us to question the purpose and impact of monuments in our society.
Monumental: How a New Generation of Artists Is Shaping the Memorial Landscape by Cat Dawson is a thought-provoking read that challenges readers to reconsider the role of monuments in shaping our collective memory. Available through independent booksellers and online, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of art, history, and public space.
