Hank Willis Thomas, Justice, Peace, Work (Stolen Sword Punctum), 2019

Leopoldville, [Young man steals the sword of King Baudouin I, during procession with newly appointed
President Kasavubu] Robert Lebeck,Leopoldville,Republic of Congo,30 June 1960,Collection Ryerson

Image Centre https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02jg33k/p02jfjxc

Invested in the relationship between history, photography and sculpture, this work is a continuation of Thomas’ Punctum series. The title of this series is based on Roland Barthes’ photographic theory of
punctum, which refers to the detail in an image that pierces or wounds the viewer, creating a direct
relationship with the object or person within it. Thomas uses this concept to select or reframe areas of the image which he then turns into three dimensional, photo-derived sculptures. By isolating certain
aspects within an image, Thomas is concerned with what is left in and out of the frame and the forms of
aesthetic information that can be derived from isolating parts of an image. He takes segments of the
photograph and turns them into sculptures by way of using different media to articulate photographic
elements.

This sculpture is based on photographs taken by Robert Lebeck in 1960 depicting the hand-over of
Belgian Congo in Leopoldville by King Baudouin to the citizens of the Republic of the Congo. This
moment is symbolic of the quest for justice, freedom and independence during this period in Africa. The figure in the original image is Ambroise Boimbo who was a Congolese citizen who snatched the ceremonial sword of King Baudouin I of Belgium on June 29, 1960 in Léopoldville (now Kinshasa) on the eve of the independence of the Belgian Congo. He was a former soldier who originated from Monkoto, Tshuapa. He subsequently worked as an electrician. He died in the 1980s and was interred at the Kintambo cemetery. To some commentators the seizure of the sword symbolizes the real independence of the Congo, while others saw it as simply an instance of high-spirited behavior at a time of celebration.

Hank Willis Thomas United States, b. 1976

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Hank Willis Thomas United States, b. 1976