“FEARLESS KAMALA”
The story and meaning of this carving, chainsaws, and sanders were the tools used to create this sculpture. Carved over 3 days (Aug. 23/24/25, 2024) and painted over 3 days (Aug. 25/26/27, 2024). Placed outside Aug.30, 2024.
The Democratic convention ended Thursday night (8/22/24) with Kamala accepting the nomination for President. We were super excited watching the convention.
I had been thinking of creating a political carving, but I didn’t want to do something that would be in your face.
The following Friday morning I saw a post with the “Fearless Girl” statue. This statue is of a little girl standing strong with her chin up holding her ground in the face of a strong head wind.
I immediately knew what I wanted to carve: the fearless girl with the head of a young Kamala, wearing high-top Converse sneakers (Chucks), standing on a stack of books.
The titles we made up for the books are:
Hope Vol. XLVII - Represents the feeling that ever since Biden stepped down from the Presidential race, putting Country over Party, and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Candidate, there has been a growing sense of Hope. Vol. XLVII—written on top represents our personal Hope that she will be elected our 47th President.
Fearless By Nature - Represents how we see her as a young girl. The fortitude to stand up and face whatever is coming at her.
United - Represents our hope for the country.
Yes, She Can By Education - This represents her grit, determination, and knowledge.
Character Matters By Decency - Represents our belief that the way someone thinks, feels and behaves especially towards others, is important.
Freedom By Justice - Represents Beyonce’s song “Freedom”; and the campaign slogan “We choose freedom", and the freedom to make choices, the freedom to read books, the freedom to love, etc..
Democracy - Represents our system of government and it is always a work in progress towards a more perfect union. A government for the people, by the people, of the people. All the other books are stacked on this one, and the stack is a little precarious, representing the fragility of Democracy.
It is a stack of seven books; in Jin Shin Jyutsu, the number 7 represents - victory, perfect life power.
Since books are being banned by the ultra right, I thought it fitting that that is what she stand on.
Her dress has sleeves that are kind of futuristic in style, this was done as a nod to Michelle Obama. Michelle delivered a powerful speech during the DNC while wearing a blue outfit with a sleeveless jacket that some called “almost futuristic, militaristic.” (Vanessa Friedman, Political fashion, The New York Times).
We chose royal blue and purple for the dress. Blue for the DNC and purple, hoping the country unifies and that we are a mix of red and blue.
Black high top Converse (chucks), because this is what Kamala wears on the campaign trail.
The books are a rainbow color to represent the Pride LGBTQA.
The carving sits on a base carved to represent roots. This represents Kamalas’ own strong roots and serves as a nod to Amanda Gorman’s Poem “This Sacred Scene”,( "...a million roots tethered ....").
We view Kamala as a warrior (and perhaps it is our own inner child) and imagine her as a young girl identifying with Agojie, the all-female warrior unit that protected the West African kingdom of Dahomey.
Like Nanisca in the movie "The Woman King", she wears an armband made of leather and shell and another of gold.
This carving feels personal and powerful, representing our own little girl. With dreams, determination, values, morals, and grit, the one who chooses to stand her ground every day.
"Fearless" Poster
Post Election Nov. 2024 (Fundraising for The LGBT+ Community)
We’ve heard from so many folks who fell in love with this sculpture and who felt the power, significance and impact that Art has in our lives. Folks continue to stop by and take photos with her while striking their own “Fearless Girl” pose.
This piece is still relevant and resonates with folks, primarily because inside all of us is our own little person With dreams, determination, values, morals, and grit, the one who chooses to stand her ground every day.
Using Pixelmator Pro Annette designed a Poster of this carving.
The Poster is available for purchase. A significant portion of each sale will go to the Centre LGBT+ in State College, PA. https://www.centrelgbtplus.org/
The Poster is 18” x 24” and locally will sell for $10.00.
If you are not local and would like the poster shipped to you, the cost would be $10.00 + S&H.
We are also working with friends across the country to sell the poster in their local communities. A significant portion of each sale going to their local LGBT+ centers.
In State College, the Poster will be available for purchase beginning in December 2024 at the following locations:
Chumley’s (https://www.drinkatchumleys.com/), Webster's (https://www.webstersbooksandcafe.com/), The Centre LGBT+, as well as, directly from us.
Please contact us to place your order.