Public statements or social media posts from artist Sandy Williams IV, or news reports

Abe Lincoln Wax Sculpture Melts in Record Washington D.C. Weekend Heat Wave

Jun 25, 2024, 06:00 PM

A wax sculpture of President Abraham Lincoln, created by Richmond artist Sandy Williams IV, melted over the weekend due to a severe heat wave in Washington, D.C., with temperatures exceeding the mid-nineties. The six-foot-tall statue, placed outside Garrison Elementary School, suffered significant damage with its head removed for repair, its left leg separated from its torso, and its right foot melted. The artist mentioned that the wax used has a congealing point of 140 degrees, which was surpassed during the record heat wave. The sculpture was intended to draw attention to the Civil War era and its aftermath. The artist humorously noted that he had previously joked about the sculpture becoming environmental art in worsening climate conditions, but did not expect it to happen so soon.