Hank Willis Thomas: Artist's talk and sculpture unveiling

The Library Foundation celebrates the unveiling of “The Truth Is I Love You,” a sculpture by artist Hank Willis Thomas that will be on permanent display outside the Austin Central Library.

After the unveiling, Thomas will be joined in conversation with art historian Cherise Smith, Executive Director of the Art Galleries at Black Studies and Chair of the UT African and African Diaspora Studies Department .

“The Truth Is I Love You” (2015) has branches sprouting cartoon speech bubbles that spell out the words of its title. It will occupy a prominent space outside the downtown library’s east entrance overlooking Shoal Creek.

Thomas is known for his thought-provoking art that address race, representation, and consumer culture. A prolific public sculptor, this is Thomas’ fourth public project this year. In January, the artist garnered widespread national attention when “The Embrace,” a memorial inspired by a photograph of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his wife, Coretta Scott King, was unveiled in the park at Boston Commons.