narrative
Djembe, pronounced jem-bay, is an interactive public art installation by George Sabra, stands next to the O. Henry Museum at Brush Square in Austin. Commissioned by the City of Austin, it symbolizes the heart and rhythm of the community, inviting all to participate in a living musical experience that reflects Austin's vibrant music culture.
The idea for the artwork was inspired by the community’s vision of Brush Square as a place for gathering, music, and celebration. That vision—combined with the site’s deeper history, where enslaved people were once forbidden from drumming in an effort to silence their rhythms—led to a concept centered on rhythm, connection, and transformation.
Slavery’s legacy touches every corner of this country. In Austin, Brush Square—once a cotton yard and railroad hub where enslaved people worked—reminds us of that shared history of injustice. Djembe reclaims this space, transforming memory into music and history into hope. It offers anew rhythm of reflection, resilience, unity, and creative freedom.
Standing 12 feet tall, Djembe incorporates reclaimed household items—such as pots, pans, and spoons—to represent drums, highlighting sustainability, resourcefulness, and creative reuse.
These humble domestic tools carry deep symbolic meaning: used across the world in times of poverty and protest, they speak to the struggles of those whose voices are often unheard. In many cultures, banging pots and pans has become a sound of resistance, hunger, and hope—a way for communities to demand change when they have nothing left but noise.
Here, those same objects are transformed into instruments of power and unity. Djembe invites the public not just to make music, but to make their voices heard. It becomes a platform for civic expression—a living artwork where people can gather, protest, celebrate, and reflect. Djembe transforms Brush Square into a space of empowerment—honoring resilience, calling attention to injustice, and celebrating the global power of music to heal, resist, and unite.
The Djembe project will begin on-site work soon. Updates onthe launch, milestones, and community involvement will be posted here—pleasevisit regularly for the latest information.
