Wells, a Black woman whose story of activism begins over 130 years ago.
She was then interrupted by the trains conductor, who was checking tickets.
He informed her that the seat was for white passengers only.
She was told to vacate and relocate immediately.
So, the future iconic anti-lynching activist and journalist declined the conductors prompts.
The case went to court and Wells won a $500 settlement (close to $13,000 today).
It was a hallmark moment for womens rights, but particularly for Black suffragettes.
It revealed a grand portrait of Wells, made of photos and letters.
What can you tell us aboutOur Story: Portraits of Change?
TheOur Storymosaic depicts a portrait of suffragist and civil rights activist Ida B.
Although her fight happened 100 years ago, her story is still prominent today.
Her leadership and courage perfectly represents the spirit of the American womens suffrage movement.
How long did this project take to complete?
Could you share what the artistic process was like for you?
I consider myself to be an artist using tools of the time.
A few hundred years ago, people would work in their studios with paint and a canvas.
I work in my studio with computers and algorithms to create giant photo mosaics.
It is like making a digital paintingyou cannot always predict the outcome.
When a community participates by sending us their photos and stories it is truly participatory and inclusive.
In this case, we used historical archives and brought back to life the stories of the past.
Were there any surprises/discoveries you had along the way?
During our research for theOur Storyproject, we discovered that Ida B.
Wells had, too, been to Birmingham, speaking twice to the Young Mens Christian Assembly Rooms.
She has a memorial plaque at the community center in which she stayed at in 1893.
Wells refused to move and bit the conductor as hard as she could.
What do you hope people take away from this installation?
I hope people will feel inspired, exhilarated, and have a sense of hope during these challenging times.
Pictures are very powerful and can bring about a range of emotions.
What was really special about this project was putting it in a public place rather than a gallery.
What has the feedback been like?
What’s next for you?
During the project, we met Michelle Duster, great granddaughter of Ida B.
