March 02, 2011

King Philip chainsaw sculpture

Raynham was protected during bloody King Philip's War

By Rebecca HymanHow did the leader of Native American forces in a devastating war with settlers come to be seen as such an important and proud part of Raynham history?

Metacom, known to settlers as King Philip, is such an iconic figure in town the Cultural Council picked him to be the subject of artist Jesse Green’s chainsaw sculpture honoring a piece of Raynham history.

And it’s no accident there’s a King Philip Street in town.

Historical Commission Chairman Lou Pacheco said Metacom is remembered as a “benevolent” figure in Raynham because he forged a cooperative relationship with the owners of the old ironworks and, in effect, issued an order not to harm the people of Raynham.

As a result, Pacheco said, Raynham was a peaceful island during the horrific King Philip’s War that ravaged both sides across New England in 1675-76 and left neither with clean hands.
Comment:  For more on the subject, see Preview of Ink--A Tale of Captivity and Radio Show on King Philip's War Game.

Below:  "Chainsaw artist Jesse Green works on his King Philip sculpture at Raynham Pride Day in September."

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is sooooooo racist look at it this way, how are they making this sculpture? By using a chainsaw which could easily be one of the most savage weapons ever used to make what else a savage.

Jaine said...

not sure I agree that a chainsaw is a 'savage weapon', a chainsaw is not a weapon, it is a tool. A car, a screw driver, a clothes line, gasoline and matches and even the traditional sculping tool - chisel, can all be used as weapons but it doesn't herently make them so. There are lots of sculptures made from chainsaws.

Theodora Kern said...

Why don't we just appreciate the art? They put a lot of effort into that and we might as well observe the end results. It's looking pretty good to me.