Monument to Joe Louis

Showing title of piece

Dedicated on October 16, 1986, the sculpture, commissioned by Sports Illustrated from the Mexican-American sculptor Robert Graham (1938–2008), and poured by the legendary bronze artist, Rolf Kriken, is a 24-foot-long (7.3 m) arm with a fisted hand suspended by a 24-foot-high (7.3 m) pyramidal framework.[3][2] The sculpture weighs 5000 pounds and the total weight including the framework is 8000 pounds.[4][5]

The inscription on the back of the arm reads:

MONUMENT
TO
JOE LOUIS
BY
ROBERT GRAHAM

A GIFT FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF
DETROIT. THE DETROIT INSTITUTE OF
ARTS AND ITS FOUNDERS SOCIETY
ON THE OCCASION OF THE MUSEUM'S
CENTENNIAL. 1885-1985.

It represents the power of his punch both inside and outside the ring. Because of Louis' efforts to fight Jim Crow laws, the fist was symbolically intended as a statement against racism.[6] Graham referred to the sculpture as a "battering ram".[7] It is claimed to be an historical metaphor, even down to its placement (pointing toward Canada).[8]

The sculpture was vandalized by two white men in 2004, who covered it in white paint and left a sign which read, "Courtesy of Fighting Whities".[7] Graham responded that the piece was "working" if it aroused passion.[7]

The sculpture is one of two monuments in Detroit honoring Joe Louis. The other is a full size statue of Louis located inside Cobo Center (which was renamed TCF Center).[9]