![]() A deconstructed mask symbolizes secrecy.The mudfish, a creature that burrows and lays dormant during drought but returns during rain, symbolizes the way the story of Africatown and its people lain untold for more than a century, but was kept alive and is now revived to worldwide attention.Many river delta elements, such as reptiles, birds, and fish are common to West Africa and Alabama, the familiarity of which helped the initial group upon their landing and time on 12-mile Island.The Memory Keeper includes multiple symbols of an Oba (West African king) to represent royalty and the affluence of that once-prospering region.The other broad side features a reptile commonly used in West African art to symbolize wisdom, protection, keeping knowledge and a new beginning.One broad side features 110 marks representing each of the West Africans brought to enslavement 52 years after that action was outlawed, centered on two marks (male female) then spiraling out in an expanding pattern depicting families and descendants.Each element in The Memory Keeper, from shape to form, has meaning and relevance to the story of Africatown. The Memory Keeper is rife with symbolism and offers common themes of origin, family, survival, and resilience. It does not depict the ship Clotilda rather, it keeps the story of the 110 enslaved West Africans and their descendants. The artists used shapes and symbols in The Memory Keeper purposefully to represent the past, present and future of Africatown. Metalworking techniques that were used to create the sculpture make it seem color changing in sunlight some elements appear gold in full sun. It is a four-panel storyboard, with no designated first panel. Many of these hang in prominent museums, though some are now back in their countries of origin. The Memory Keeper is an homage to bronze and cast iron plaques that hung in West African palaces hundreds of years ago. ![]() Planning and construction of The Memory Keeper took several months. ![]() It is the latest of many collaborations between Smith and Ledbetter, who had complete artistic freedom with this creation. veterans of the Vietnam era, but who are different in so many ways – from the media in which they work to their heritage and lived experiences. The Memory Keeper is a true collaboration between two Mobile-area artists of national acclaim who share the commonality of being U.S. Size: height: 9 feet, width: 2 feet 8 inches, depth: 1 foot 4 inchesĬommissioned by: Mobile County Commission, District 1 Commissioner Merceria Ludgood Location: Africatown Heritage House Memorial Garden (2465 Winbush Street Īrtists: Charles Smith and Frank Ledbetter Posted on: Feb 2nd, 2023 | News and Announcements Press Releases featured news About: "The Memory Keeper" Sculpture in the Memorial Garden at Africatown Heritage House
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