For years as an artist and an individual, I have been
moved in many ways by what took place in the Holocaust.
The haunting questions of why and how could this have happened
will probably linger with humanity throughout history.
The magnitude of this crime is a black stain on humankind.
It does not belong entirely to the Germans.
Many nationalities participated at that time and many so called
civilized people looked the other way.
Episodes of genocide or brutality based on prejudice, ignorance, bigotry
and fear can be found in virtually every society and culture on earth.
Much of it is recent: Cambodia, Yugoslavia, Africa, and least of all,
the United States as a result of the Neo-Nazism, the KKK and other
hate groups continue the brutality.

An artist hopes that in some way what he does will make a difference.
This sculpture is a timely rememberance dedicated to what happened
to millions of people. It is timely today because the same symptoms
of those awful days have not been blotted out. If just a few
people open their minds and think - we will have succeeded.

Dee Clements - Sculptor

Following a national competition, the Holocaust Survivors of the Desert commissioned sculptor Dee Clements to create the Desert Holocaust Memorial (one and one quarter life-size), which was dedicated in the Civic Park of Palm Desert, California, in April of 1995.