On September 13, 2024, the National World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C. will unveil its monumental centerpiece, A Soldier’s Journey, a sculpture created by Sabin Howard. This long-awaited piece brings to life the sacrifice and courage of American soldiers during World War I, a tribute that has been years in the making.
The memorial, originally unveiled in April 2021, honors the 4.7 million Americans who served in World War I, including the 116,516 who gave their lives. Built on the existing Pershing Park, this space incorporates features like the Peace Fountain and engraved quotes from Archibald MacLeish’s poem “The Young Dead Soldiers Do Not Speak,” reflecting the gravity of the conflict. However, the addition of A Soldier’s Journey promises to elevate the memorial to new heights, providing a profound narrative on the American experience in the Great War.
Sabin Howard, the sculptor behind this monumental frieze, has dedicated much of his life to the pursuit of art. His passion for light as the ultimate medium defines his work. Though Howard uses clay and bronze as tools, it’s the interplay of light and shadow that brings his figures to life. His approach to A Soldier’s Journey merges classical technique with modern storytelling, turning light into a transformative force that animates the 38 human figures spread across the 58-foot-long frieze. Sabin’s dedication to telling the tragedy in an active tense makes this memorial unique.
Born and raised in Manhattan, Howard’s early life was deeply influenced by frequent trips to Italy, where he spent summers with his mother’s family. The art and architecture of the Renaissance left a lasting mark on him, shaping his artistic path from a young age. He moved between the worlds of Renaissance art and contemporary New York City, ultimately finding his calling as a sculptor. After studying at the Philadelphia College of Art and earning an MFA from the New York Academy of Art, he embarked on a decades-long journey, teaching, creating, and refining his craft.
Howard’s career is rich with accomplishments, from solo exhibitions to commissions that span the globe. Yet A Soldier’s Journey may be his most significant work to date. It represents not just the hero’s journey of one soldier but the collective experience of millions. The frieze’s five scenes depict the soldier’s evolution from reluctant recruit to battle-hardened veteran, capturing the raw emotion, camaraderie, and turmoil of war. It captures the toll of war on the entire community, family, friends, men, women, children, warriors and caregivers.
This monumental work also serves as a continuation of Howard’s commitment to honoring classical traditions while speaking to contemporary audiences. He has created several heroic-scale pieces, including Hermes, Aphrodite, and Apollo, that showcase his mastery of form and light. His work is featured in museums and private collections worldwide, praised by notable publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and American Artist.
For Howard, A Soldier’s Journey transcends the boundaries of a traditional memorial. It is a living, breathing work of art that captures the human experience in all its complexity, paying homage to the bravery of those who served and the enduring light of their legacy.