Ehra oder Kind mit Ball, Bronze statue at Old Harbor, Düsseldorf, Germany.
This bronze work depicts a young figure with tousled hair carefully holding a small ball between both hands. The sculpture sits by the Old Harbor and is accompanied by an inscribed stone plate nearby.
Created in 1955 by Otto Pankok, this sculpture honors the Sinti people who were imprisoned at Höherweg camp and later murdered under Nazi rule. Pankok's artistic response grew from his close ties to the Sinti community.
The figure represents a young girl from the Sinti community whose image became central to the artist's work and personal connection with the group. This subject choice reflects how deeply Pankok engaged with Sinti culture and its stories.
The sculpture stands in an open space by the harbor where it is easily accessible for viewing. Visitors can take time to read the inscriptions on the nearby stone plate and reflect on the memorial.
The figure wears an ankle-length dress with long sleeves and multiple necklaces that reflect Pankok's careful observation of Sinti dress traditions. These details show how the artist integrated traditional clothing elements into his work.
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