The relentless summer heat in Washington, DC, has caused a striking artistic casualty – a six-foot-tall wax statue of Abraham Lincoln has started to melt under the intense sun. Created by artist Sandy Williams IV, the statue, installed in February, began deteriorating over the weekend as temperatures soared to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
By Monday, the heat had taken a severe toll: the statue’s head was removed to prevent it from falling, its legs had separated from the torso, and the right foot had melted. These drastic changes highlighted the impact of the extreme weather on the sculpture.
This white wax statue, a replica of the iconic Lincoln Memorial, was placed outdoors at Garrison Elementary School in Northwest Washington. Commissioned by the non-profit CulturalDC, the sculpture was designed to evolve. However, the recent heatwave has expedited this transformation, with the wax beginning to melt well ahead of its expected timeline.
CulturalDC’s spokesperson mentioned, “Our team intentionally removed Lincoln’s head to avoid damage from an uncontrolled fall.” The organization had planned for the wax to gradually melt, akin to a candle, but the extreme temperatures hastened the process.
The 3,000-pound installation, titled “40 ACRES: Camp Barker,” was meant to remain at the school until September. It serves as a poignant commentary on the historical Civil War-era Contraband Camps, specifically referencing Camp Barker, which was situated on the current site of Garrison Elementary School. These camps were temporary homes for formerly enslaved and free African Americans during the war.
As parts of the U.S. continue to grapple with extreme heat, weather forecasters are advising residents in the central and eastern regions to brace for more intense heatwaves in the coming weeks.
