The Ode to John Henry series reimagines the legendary steel-driving man as a symbol of African American strength, resilience, and creativity. Inspired by the cultural attributes of African Americans—ingenuity, endurance, and the ability to transform struggle into beauty—these sculptures are built from salvaged railroad iron, rebar, concrete and wood.

Each piece reflects not only the physical power of John Henry’s story but also the spiritual and cultural inheritance passed down through generations. By working with materials once tied to labor and industry, I transform them into monuments that honor the hands, voices, and lives that shaped America’s landscape.

This series stands as both a tribute and a question: How do we preserve the dignity of labor, the creativity of survival, and the spirit of resistance in an age defined by machines?

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