◷ Open Thursday–Sunday 10 AM–5 PM
Discover What’s On View at the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum
Announcing the Stephen Hayes "Cash Crop" Exhibit
Temporary Exhibit
February - August 2024
Location: The Museum Mansion, (1st Floor)
1649 East North Avenue (corner of Broadway and North Avenue)
Baltimore, MD 21213
Cost: Included in General Admission
Stephen Hayes’ Cash Crop Exhibit
The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum is pleased to offer a temporary exhibit, "Cash Crop," by the renowned Maker/Sculptor Stephen Hayes! In the words of Stephen Hayes himself, "This body of work serves as a reflection of the past and a glimpse of our present." Through the meticulous mending of materials, "Cash Crop" breathes new life into the history of the slave trade, offering modern-day visitors a profound reckoning with the enduring ramifications of systemic exploitation. Beyond the transportation of bodies as commodities, the exhibit confronts the contemporary realities of outsourcing and sweatshop labor, highlighting America's continued entanglement in global economic exploitation.
Secure Your Admission
“I’ve seen that image of how they put people on the ships, and it made me think about how people still benefit from that today.”
Immerse yourself in the evocative narratives of "Cash Crop" and the myriad wonders of the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum. Purchase your tickets today using the link below or call 410-675-5040. Guided group tours are available for an enhanced experience, offering deeper insights into the rich tapestry of African-American history and heritage.
Dimensions: 500-800 sq ft
Year: 2010
Medium: 15 lifesized mixed media figures, with concrete, woodblock, iron
Featuring fifteen life-size sculptures of human figures cast in concrete and bound in chains and metal of the Atlantic slave trade, Cash Crop strives to create a connection between human rights violations of the past and present. The 15 life-sized casts of the artist's friends and family represent the 15 million African people forcefully brought to the Americas between 1540 and 1850.
The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade: Hayes' vision for "Cash Crop" transcends mere representation; it seeks to forge a visceral connection between the atrocities of yesteryears and the injustices of today.
About Cash Crop: A Legacy Installation with Stephen Hayes
Symbolizing the 12.5 million Africans forcibly transported to the Americas between 1526 and 1867, each figure within the exhibit embodies a narrative of resilience and resistance. The rear of every model bears the map outline of the infamous Brookes slave ship, illustrating the systemic mechanisms that perpetuated and profited from human bondage.
Symbols of Significance: Within his body of work, Hayes employs three powerful symbols - a pawn, a corn, and a horse - as conduits for exploring America's historical exploitation of Black bodies, minds, and labor. As both creator and translator, Hayes invites viewers to engage in a profound dialogue with the past, present, and future of African-American experiences.
Other Exhibition Options
Choose from 2 special topic virtual tour presentations that focus on specific topics relating to Black History.