Brick House Sculpture

From a simple block of clay to a towering bronze figure, the Brick House sculpture before you commands attention. Here at 34th and Walnut Streets, on the University of Pennsylvania campus, Simone Leigh’s creation stands as a powerful symbol. The Brick House is more than just a statue. It’s a testament to the strength and resilience of Black women. The sculpture’s name itself, Brick House, evokes the image of a strong, enduring foundation. The sixteen-foot bronze figure depicts a Black woman’s head and torso. The torso uniquely combines the shapes of a skirt and a clay house. Notice the details. The braids are adorned with cowrie shells. These shells hold a layered meaning. They are symbols of wealth and femininity but also a stark reminder of their use as currency during the African slave trade. The Brick House is the first large-scale sculpture in Leigh’s Anatomy of Architecture series. This series blends human forms with architectural elements from various cultures. Look closely at the torso. You’ll see influences from Batammaliba architecture of Benin and Togo, teleuk dwellings of Cameroon and Chad, and even the Mammy’s Cupboard restaurant in Natchez, Mississippi. This fusion of styles creates a timeless quality, collapsing history into a single powerful image. Simone Leigh, the artist behind this masterpiece, was the first Black woman to represent the United States at the 2022 Venice Biennale. This sculpture, a gift from Penn alumni Glenn and Amanda Fuhrman, stands as the first work by a Black woman in Penn’s public art collection. It replaced another sculpture, prompting important conversations about race, gender, and the role of art in shaping our understanding of the world. As you stand here, consider the layers of meaning embedded within the Brick House. It’s a celebration of Black womanhood, a reflection on history, and a call for a more just and equitable future. The Brick House invites us to look, to listen, and to learn.