At Meridian, History Takes Shape From Every Angle
By • March 5, 2026 0 364
By Mia Pech
Guests gathered at Meridian International Center last Thursday for the opening of “America: An Unfinished Portrait,” a new exhibition by sculptor Zachary Oxman. Held at Meridian’s historic White-Meyer House, the exhibition is part of the organization’s year-long “Diplomacy at 250” series marking the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary and highlighting the global partnerships that have helped shape the United States.
The exhibition challenges viewers to reconsider some of the most recognizable figures in American history. At first, the portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln appear familiar and almost traditional. But as visitors shift their position, the images begin to transform. New lines and expressions come into view, while others fade. Layers emerge and details sharpen or soften. Each portrait reveals multiple perspectives. Throughout the evening, visitors could be seen stepping from side to side in front of the works, watching the images change as they moved.
“Perspective changes everything—where you stand shapes what you see and what you believe,” Oxman said at the opening.
Over the past decade, Oxman has developed an innovative visual language that merges diverse materials, technology and optics. The result blurs the line between painting and three-dimensional form. Portraits of figures such as Eleanor Roosevelt and symbols like the Statue of Liberty seem to shift with the light, inviting viewers to move around them rather than stand still.
“History is always unfinished,” Oxman said. “It’s always moving and it’s always changing and evolving with those experiences.”
By presenting historical icons in a way that changes with perspective, Oxman underscores the idea that national identity is shaped not only by the past, but by how each generation chooses to interpret it.
“The work is an invitation into conversation, a chance to explore and engage in dialogue,” Oxman said.
Additional photos from the exhibit opening are below. Photos by Mia Pech.
