“I work in steel as well as paint and whatever media my vision leads me to. Some of my sculptures emanate from totem-style drawings I’ve created over several decades. I believe that steel has a memory and when I create these pieces, they have a life.
“Sankofa is based on an African proverb which means ‘bring the best of one’s culture forward.’ My work has a historical, Afrocentric ancestral connection. With every work I produce – whether it’s a sculpture or painting – I have ideas for more. Experimenting is the key for my progression as a visionary. In my studio I work on several series of sculptures and paintings. My father told me years ago that whatever I created, part of my spirit would be in that work. It took me years to understand what he meant.” – Saffell Gardner
