Triumph of the Human Spirit

This black granite sculpture sits near the intersection of Centre Street and Duane Street in Lower Manhattan, standing as a solid and commanding form within the civic landscape. The work features geometric shapes that rise from the ground in a way that changes as you move around it, creating different views from each angle.

Completed in 2000, this memorial stands near the African Burial Ground from the colonial era, a cemetery where archaeologists uncovered human remains during construction. This proximity links the modern sculpture to a pivotal chapter of the city's past and honors those whose graves were found on this land.

The design draws from Bamana artistic traditions, using abstract forms inspired by male and female antelope headdresses known as Chiwara masks from Mali. This connection to African traditions creates a space where visitors encounter cultural memory and cross-continental dialogue.

The site is fully accessible and located in a busy district with good pathways and public transit nearby. Since it is an outdoor sculpture, you can visit any time regardless of season or time of day.

The sculpture holds an actual lock that artist Lorenzo Pace carried with him, a physical object with direct ties to slavery. This personal item transforms the public artwork into an intimate memorial for one family and their larger story.

GPS coordinates: 40.71444,-74.00289

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:10