land-studio-cleveland

Overview

In the spring of 2019, LAND studio proudly selected artist Antwoine Washington to showcase his work on The Art Wall, a rotating art space on Public Square. Each quarter, a new local artist is picked to transform our cityscape, enriching it with creativity.

From the Artist

After hundreds of years, blacks left antebellum slavery 154 years ago. Through it all, we have persevered and moved forward by taking our traditions with us and applying them to our current situations. This has allowed us to overcome our victimhood. While slavery is one part of the black American experience, it is not the only part. The greatest part of our experience as enslaved people has been our ability to stand on the shoulders of our ancestors and apply our genius to our circumstances, whatever they may be. 

I created this large-scale piece to remind you to be proud of who you are. Despite what you go through, it is important to rise above the obstacles that appear in your way. Everyone is a masterpiece — a walking museum.  

The Sankofa bird symbolizes the importance of moving forward while remembering our past. As we go, we plant seeds for those who will come after. Sankofa is an African word from the Akan Tribe of present-day Ghana. The word is derived from the words: SAN: (return), KO: (go) FA: (look, seek, and take). 

Antwoine  Washington

Meet the Artist

Antwoine Washington

Antwoine Washington is an artist based out of Cleveland, Ohio. His work is inspired by the black experience in America. Antwoine Washington was born in Pontiac, Michigan, a small city located outside of Detroit. His wife, Carlise Washington, and he ...

Continue Reading

Map of Project
LAND Studio FORM

Share this page

Close

Photo Gallery

1 of 22