Nari Ward

SOUND SYSTEM is a tribute to music and its power to bring people together. Nari Ward uses marble, a stone formed under pressure, to reflect how struggle and hardship have shaped music. The work is inspired by Jamaican sound systems, which turned empty spaces into places of community and resistance, despite racism and poverty.

    These sound systems influenced global music, including hip-hop. Ward’s marble sculpture connects the folk traditions of Jamaica with the rich culture of Harlem, New York, where he has lived and worked for many years.

    Ward is known for sculptural installations made from discarded neighborhood materials, reimagining everyday objects to highlight issues of race, poverty, and consumer culture.