The Griot Museum of Black History is now the home to the first permanent public artwork by the acclaimed architect of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, David Adjaye. Curated by Allison Glenn and commissioned by Counterpublic, the piece is one of the most significant public art investments in the region in a generation and forms one of the signature artworks for Counterpublic’s 2023 exhibition. 

On its completion in 2023, Counterpublic donated the artwork in full to The Griot and pilots a two-year, full-time fellowship at The Griot funded by the Mellon Foundation to maintain, contextualize, and conserve the work and create consistent connections between The Griot, Asaase III, and the community. The fellowship is organized in partnership with the St. Louis Art Museum to assist with conservation efforts and enhance the capacity of The Griot as an innovative collaboration between the three organizations.

The work marks a pivotal moment for The Griot Museum of Black History as it celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary. The Griot is the first cultural institution in St. Louis solely dedicated to revealing the broad scope of Black History and culture. Since its origins in 1997, The Griot collects, preserves, interprets, and shares the stories, culture, and history of Black people––particularly highlighting their regional connection to American history. The dynamic museum is a central gathering place in the St. Louis Place neighborhood of North St. Louis.

Lois Conley, founder of The Griot remarks, “The addition of this significant piece of art to The Griot Collection marks another historic event for us as we celebrate our 25th Anniversary. We appreciate the level of exposure that being selected as the home for this major work, by such a renowned architect, will bring to the Museum, the St. Louis Place neighborhood, and North St. Louis more broadly. It helps to further affirm The Griot as a significant institutional anchor in North St. Louis and our value as a member of the city’s cultural ecosystem."

The rammed earth sculpture is constructed with materials drawn from St. Louis on site and is open as part of Counterpublic 2023.