"Hope and Dream Under Glory…" Boone Elementary Washington DC

Like the ancient Iroko tree, holding up its branches and proclaiming
‘I am still standing , my roots are deep, I have no fear of the wind”.
He rises in tribulation carrying the memory, knowledge and wisdom of his ancestors encoded in signs and symbols.

-Victor Ekpuk

“It was serendipitous that the mascot of Boone Elementary school is a Black Panther, In the African culture that inspires my work, the power of the feline spirit is encoded in secret symbols and graphic signs called nsibidi. By weaving together, the mystery, power and history of the black panther with the vibrancy and spirit of the children of Boone Elementary and their community, this sculpture is intended to visually stimulate, inspire, inform and challenge the imaginations of young minds. It is my hope that this sculpture will perhaps be part of a broader conversation about the history of Africans in America, I’m honored for the opportunity to contribute to the memory of a community.”

- Victor Ekpuk

Commissioned by Department of General Services, Washington DC.

Location: Boone Elementary School
2200 Minnesota Ave. SE
Washington, DC 20020