With only the rest of December left to view this monumental sculpture on the Greenway, I will post now, without waiting for better photos from my phone. If you can get to Boston’s waterfront* this month, don’t miss the experience of getting as close as possible to an inspiring being! If not, you can enjoy the compelling photos and information in Public Art at the Greenway website, plus other Key Resources listed below. I hope the quotes here will guide you. * between Greenway Carousel and Boston Harbor Islands Pavilion

“Solomon Northup, born free in New York in 1807, was kidnapped and enslaved for twelve years before regaining his freedom in 1853. His autobiography, Twelve Years a Slave, remains a foundational American narrative of resilience and truth-telling, chronicling one of the most powerful firsthand accounts of slavery in U.S. history. Hope Out of Darkness portrays Northup in a moment of emergence—rising from shadow into light—a visual embodiment of survival, truth, and liberation.”(quote from Wesley Wofford, FNSS*: “Hope Out of Darkness”, 2025 )*Fellow National Sculpture Society

“The sculpture stands as both a work of contemporary art and a vessel of historical remembrance, connecting Northup’s 19th-century struggle for freedom to ongoing conversations about justice and equality in America.” (quote from Wesley Wofford, FNSS*: “Hope Out of Darkness”, 2025 ) *Fellow National Sculpture Society

“The sculpture has traveled on a five-city limited engagement tour across the United States, sharing Northup’s story through art and dialogue in communities connected to abolition, freedom, and remembrance. Following its Boston exhibition, Hope Out of Darkness will be permanently installed in Marksville, Louisiana—the city where Solomon Northup was freed in 1853.”  (quote from Wesley Wofford, FNSS*: “Hope Out of Darkness”, 2025 )*Fellow National Sculpture Society

“Hope Out of Darkness was created by Wesley Wofford, FNSS,* of North Carolina and commissioned by the Solomon Northup Committee for Commemorative Works. Presented in partnership with the North American Indian Center of Boston (NAICOB) and the Greenway Conservancy, the exhibition brings this monumental bronze work to Boston’s waterfront, inviting residents and visitors to reflect on history, resilience, and the enduring pursuit of justice.” (quote from Wesley Wofford, FNSS*: “Hope Out of Darkness”, 2025 ) *Fellow National Sculpture Society

“Wesley Wofford, an American figurative sculptor born in 1972, embarked on a remarkable journey from the silver screen to the serene mountains of Western North Carolina. Originally hailing from Georgia, Wofford ventured to Hollywood in his early twenties to explore the world of special makeup effects for film. His talent soared, earning him an Emmy and an Academy Award for his groundbreaking work with silicone prosthetics. Despite achieving acclaim in the industry, he felt a longing for a more impactful art form—one that could intricately weave emotion and narrative into a more permanent art form.” (quote from Wesley Wofford- FNSS, About: biography)

“In 2001, Wofford made the pivotal decision to return to the East Coast with his wife Odyssey and two children, establishing his art studio amidst the tranquil landscapes of Western North Carolina. Since then, his studio has become a sanctuary for creativity, providing him with a balance of life between nature, family, and artistry.”(quote from Wesley Wofford- FNSS, About: biography)

“Wofford’s primary focus has shifted towards monumental works, collaborating with communities and fellow activists to bring to light forgotten stories from our shared history. His sculptures are located at important historical sites across the United States, from the Dorchester County Courthouse in Maryland, where Harriet Tubman began her journey to become an American icon, to Marksville, Louisiana, where Solomon Northup regained his freedom.” (quote from Wesley Wofford- FNSS, About: biography)

KEY RESOURCES:

Solomon Northup Monument Plaza, the Project: https://snccw.com/project

12 Years a Slave, film, 2014: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2024544/

Wesley Wofford- FNSS, About, biography: https://woffordsculpturestudio.com/about/biography

Wesley Wolford FNSS, Wolford Sculpture Studio: https://woffordsculpturestudio.com/

Wesley Wofford, FNSS*: “Hope Out of Darkness”, 2025 Rose Kennedy Greenway Public Art: https://www.rosekennedygreenway.org/wesleywofford