Origin of 'Man'

This piece is 8 feet by 5 feet and made out of sand and dirt. 'Man' was inspired by Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam, but reimagined through the lens of modern science and natural philosophy. I asked: If we were to depict a metaphorical Adam based on what we know now, what would he look like?

Several constraints emerged: 

He must be black and placed in East Africa - the cradle of humanity. His surroundings should reflect the environmental extremes that drive Darwinian evolution, so I set him at the intersection of drought and storm. Light had to be present, as it is the catalyst of life. He is life-size, allowing the viewer to meet him on equal terms. His posture is stoic rather than triumphant, reflecting a philosophy of endurance. Finally, he is made entirely of sand and dirt, as we all are. We are the effect of the universe exploring the space of possibilities.