Tubman & Auburn Art Installations Being Unveiled Friday

A new public art installation will be unveiled in Auburn Friday honoring the life of Harriet Tubman.

“Harriet Tubman: Life Cycle of a Freedom Fighter” was created by artist Audrey Iwanicki. She told Finger Lakes News Radio that the conceptual piece features three bicycles, each representing a different stage of Tubman’s life.

“I want to represent how slavery held her back,” Iwanicki said. “The bicycle is meant to move but the chains keep it locked in place, then she escapes and the chains are broken and falling off, and then freedom allows the movement for the bicycle to be what it was really meant to be.”

Iwanicki added that the bicycle represented freedom of movement, especially for women in the 19th century,

“[Bicylces] gave women a lot more freedom of movement than what they had before,” Iwanicki said, “and we do have some accounts that Harriet Tubman actually did take advantage of the technology, that she would rider bike to do her errands.”

“Harriet Tubman: Life Cycle of a Freedom Fighter” will be unveiled at 4:30p at Freedom Park across the street from the police station.

The same day at 5:30p will also be the official unveiling of the “Auburn Celebrating the Arts” mural outside Auburn Public Theater.

The 30×8′ mural was painted by Amanda Tallcot of Accredited Art and Kevin Burke. The mosaic portion was led by Assistant Director of the Auburn Downtown BID Jesse Kline.