Bearing Witness

Bearing Witness is a bronze sculpture standing outside the Ronald Reagan Building, where overlapping metal sheets form an abstract, curved shape. The structure is composed of stacked metal plates that together create a distinctive inward-curving form.

The sculpture was created in 1997 as part of a federal program requiring one percent of building construction costs be dedicated to public art. This initiative shaped the artistic development of many government buildings in the city during that era.

The title "Bearing Witness" reflects the work's role as a silent observer in public space, inviting passersby to pause and consider its presence. Its curved metal forms create a focal point where people naturally gather and reflect during their daily movements through the area.

The sculpture stands directly in front of the Ronald Reagan Building and is freely accessible without barriers or restrictions. Visitors can walk around the work and view it from multiple angles.

The sculpture was constructed in collaboration with a Rhode Island shipyard that applied marine engineering techniques to build the metal framework. This unusual partnership brought maritime craftsmanship techniques into the public art space.