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Todd McGrain: Debut of York

A bronze-looking head statue of a Black man with his eyes closed. It's on a stone pedestal and surrounded by big trees.
York on Mount Tabor. Photo by Todd McGrain
Apr 4, 2026 - Jan 31, 2027
Portland Art Museum
1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR
General accessibility

Overview

Todd McGrain’s original bust of York, the enslaved man who was the only African American member of the Lewis and Clark expedition, was secretly installed on Mount Tabor in 2021. It was placed on the pedestal where a statue of Oregonian editor Harvey Scott (1830-1910), a known racist, once stood. The surprising appearance of York, with no artist name attached to the work, brought forth a Banksy-esque spirit and added to the city’s intense dialogues around the Black Lives Matter movement and the meaning of public monuments. 

The Portland Art Museum debuts this bronze bust of York by artist Todd McGrain. It will permanently replace the original Mt. Tabor bust, which was temporary and sustained damage. In collaboration with Oregon Contemporary, Portland State University, and the City of Portland, will offer a community survey to give Portlanders the opportunity to share their thoughts on where the bust should be placed for the long term. 

York is an important historical figure whose story has often been overlooked in history. The Oregon Black Pioneers has contributed a plaque that will be installed with the bust in its new public location:

The first person of African descent to cross North America. 

York (born ca. 1772) came west as part of the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1803-1806. He was enslaved by expedition co-captain William Clark and was not considered an official member of the Corps of Discovery. Nonetheless, York performed the same duties as the party’s enlisted men. He hunted, helped build shelters and canoes, negotiated trade with Native Americans, and tended to the party’s sick. 

York set foot in what is today Portland in April 1806 on the journey back to the United States. After the expedition concluded, York requested his freedom. Clark refused. York received no commendation or compensation for his labors and died in obscurity sometime before 1832. 

York is one of the central works in the 2026 Oregon Artists’ Biennial, curated by TK Smith at Oregon Contemporary. While the bronze statue is on view at the Portland Art Museum, the original bust, which was made of Styrofoam painted bronze, will be on display at Oregon Contemporary. Its appearance in the Biennial is intended to spark further conversations on American history and the history of monuments.