CHICAGO (WLS) — A public artwork titled “Resilient” returned to Grant Park on Monday, offering what its creator says is a direct counterpoint to the burning cross discovered there last week.
Visual artist Damon Lamar Reed created the piece five years ago with a simple but powerful goal: to bring Chicagoans together. Through its stitched, patchwork design, the work is meant to reflect the idea that damage does not have to be the end — that healing and rebuilding can leave something even stronger.
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“The sewing and the kind of patchwork is one of those things, like something may seem like it’s kind of broken, but you know, when you kind of re-stitch it, it’s actually stronger than before,” Reed said.
“Resilient” was first displayed as part of the 2021 traveling art exhibition “Parade of Hearts,” organized by the Luv Institute. During that run, the piece appeared in 12 neighborhoods across Chicago.
The Luv Institute chose to reinstall Reed’s artwork in Grant Park days after a disturbing incident at the site. Last week, a mother and daughter reportedly stopped after seeing a burning cross leaning against a tree in the park.
A burning cross is widely recognized as a symbol of racist hatred, making the return of “Resilient” a deliberate and visible message of unity in the same public space.
Reed says the message he hoped his art would send five years ago still stands today.
“What’s actually happening with the heart even today, was about kind of spreading that message of love throughout of all of Chicago neighborhoods,” Reed said.
Following the incident, Chicago police released images of a person of interest seen allegedly fleeing the area near Columbus and Balbo.
Father Michael Pfleger with Saint Sabina Church has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
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