(Here I Stand) In the Spirit of Paul Robeson


in the Spirit of Paul Robeson is a public artwork by American artist Allen Uzikee Nelson, located at the intersection of Kansas Ave NW, Georgia Ave NW and Varnum St NW in the Petworth neighborhood in Washington, D.C., United States. It is a tribute to musician, actor and social activist Paul Robeson.

Description

This Cor-Ten steel sculpture stands like a sign in the middle of the intersection. It rises upwards and opens up into a large face created with heavy African influences. Greenish glass frames the face. The artist describes it as a "Janus-face".

Artist

Originally from Tupelo, Mississippi, Uzikee now lives in Washington D.C. His background in engineering provides a basis for his work. His creative goal is to combine "African design and aesthetic into subconscious culture." All of his works are three-dimensional, steel and glass. His work has been on display at Howard University, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, and throughout the United States.

Acquisition

The piece was formally dedicated on April 8, 2001, to celebrate the 103rd anniversary of Paul Robeson's birthday.