Whiskey Rebellion by John Y. Wind – Meet the Artist

Whiskey Rebellion by Local Contemporary Artist John Y. Wind on Display Through June 30

The Museum of the American Revolution will feature new artifact displays, a contemporary art installation, and special programming to mark Pride Month this June.

Throughout the month, the Museum is pleased to present Whiskey Rebellion, an installation of sculptures by Philadelphia artist John Y. Wind in the second-floor Oneida Indian Nation Atrium. Wind’s work transforms hand-painted, ceramic decanters of key figures from the American Revolution that were produced by the Jim Beam Distilling Company and their competitors from the 1960s-70s to circumvent a new federal whiskey tax and tap into Bicentennial fever. His recontextualized works explore issues of masculinity, heroism, diversity, and the very notion of commemoration through a 21st century lens.

“The series was inspired by Lin Manuel Miranda’s ‘Hamilton.’ The time travel, pop culture mash-up, and outsider lens… The social and political concerns of our times layered with my own queer sensibility—all set the stage for an intervention,” Wind said. “I asked myself what are the tropes that convey authority here? The uniforms, decorations, and elaborate pedestals—I wanted to have a go at it, insert myself, humanize them and redefine what a hero looks like in 2024. This is my whiskey rebellion.”

On Saturday, June 22, Museum guests will have the opportunity to meet Wind and dive deeper into the history and meaning of the installation as part of daily programming. This will include a guided tour of Whiskey Rebellion with the artist at 11:15 a.m., as well as the opportunity to explore his artistic process and inspiration with a pop-up Discovery Cart featuring Wind from 1­-3 p.m. Both opportunities will take place in the Oneida Indian Nation Atrium.

In addition to the installation featuring Wind’s work, the Museum will dedicate a second-floor display to Prussian immigrant and military leader Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin von Steuben (1730-1794), also known as Baron von Steuben, who helped shape the Continental Army into a powerful fighting force during the Revolutionary War.