Strings of Fire reconsiders the legacy of Sister Rosetta Tharpe (1915–1973), the pioneering musician widely recognised as the “Godmother of Rock and Roll”. Modelled from archival reference, the sculpture portrays Tharpe mid-performance, capturing a moment charged with movement, rhythm and creative force. Through gesture, expression and form, the work reflects on an artist whose influence reshaped musical history while drawing renewed attention to an overlooked legacy that helped shape modern music.
The sculpture considers visibility, cultural memory and artistic legacy, inviting reflection on how influence endures across generations. Inspired by Tharpe’s boundary-breaking presence as an African American musician who challenged convention and expanded musical expression, the work reflects on recognition, resilience and artistic voice.
Tharpe’s words — “All this new stuff they call rock ‘n’ roll, why, I’ve been playing that for years now” — drawn from a 1957 interview, are integrated through tactile print, braille and QR-linked audio, extending the work into a multi-sensory encounter reflecting on access, memory and enduring voices.
