Joe Minter: Sculptor of Memory and Reclamation Joe Minter (born March 28, 1943) is an American sculptor based in Birmingham, Alabama, whose monumental sculptures explore the history of African Americans from the arrival of enslaved Africans to contemporary struggles for justice. His most recognizable project, “African Village in America,” began as a single scrap metal sculpture in 1986 and has evolved into a sprawling outdoor environment comprised of thousands of reclaimed materials—primarily steel tubing, sheet metal, and automotive parts—creating a powerful visual statement about resilienc…