Black Holocaust Memorial: Folk Art

Savannah, Georgia

In 2002 Savannah unveiled its African American Family Monument, a tribute to enslaved people that many locals felt was watered down so that it wouldn't upset Savannah's tourists. Jimmy "Double Dutch" Kimble was one of those unsatisfied locals, so in 2004 he unveiled his own monument: the Black Holocaust Memorial, featuring an enslaved African shackled in chains, made out of paper-mache. It stands in his yard.

Double Dutch, however, was too good-hearted to leave it at that, so he added other sculptures as well, many of them designed to appeal to children, such as his versions of Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, and the yellow M&M spokescandy. He also created a pink throne for himself.

Official proclamations at the memorial, now weathered with age, praise Double Dutch as "an artistic genius" and "a man of unassuming greatness." He enjoys meeting visitors.