Notes

In this sculpture of a soccer referee sporting soccer boots, red card and a referee’s whistle around his neck, Ndou has chosen an animal that is patently unsuitable for the job – he is far too slow to referee any soccer match except among tortoises. In African folktales the tortoise is considered canny and wise and a great trickster. These traits together with his protective shell would serve him well in controlling the players in the tempestuous game.

Provenance

Donated by Trent Read