Statue of Christopher Columbus, Bronze statue in Bell Park, Houston, United States
The Statue of Christopher Columbus was a 7-foot bronze figure created by sculptor Joe Incrapera that depicted the explorer standing in an upright pose. The work stood in Bell Park for years as a visual landmark in this public space.
Italian-American organizations commissioned and installed the statue in 1992 to mark 500 years since Columbus reached the Americas. It stood throughout the following decades as a monument reflecting a particular historical interpretation.
The monument generated discussions about historical representation, leading to protests from Native American groups regarding Columbus's impact on indigenous populations.
The monument was permanently removed from the park on June 19, 2020, after becoming a target of vandalism over time. The location remains accessible today but no longer contains the original artwork.
The statue became a symbol of larger conflict when vandals painted its face red and severed its left hand, reflecting the deep debate over its meaning. These damages became a turning point in the decision to remove the monument.
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