Skip to main content

Redefining progress, one statue at a time

Giant woke statue of Black woman in Times Square scares the hell out of NYC

Most passersby feared it would eat them alive; Progress run amok has the statues of 2 historic White men nearby also shaking in their boots. 

Article image background

A towering new statue of a 12-foot-tall Black woman in casual clothing now stands in New York City’s Times Square, part of what its creators call a “two-part takeover” meant to provoke reflection on diversity and identity.

Video Player is loading.
Loaded: 15.34%
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:25
Video: Uncredited

Commissioned by Times Square Arts, the sculpture, titled Grounded in the Stars, was designed by British artist Thomas J Price and unveiled alongside his “Man Series” animated billboards. Both installations are temporary, but they’ve already sparked discussion for their overt contrast with Times Square’s long-standing monuments.

Price, known for exploring themes of race and representation, said in a statement that he hopes the statue encourages deeper reflection on “the human condition and greater cultural diversity.” His website emphasizes his decades-long work confronting “implicit and explicit expressions of anti-Blackness.”

According to Price, the woman depicted in Grounded in the Stars is not modeled after a specific person, but rather meant to represent a marginalized identity presented with dignity and authority. Her casual stance and expression, he says, communicate self-assurance and quiet strength.

The Times Square Arts website describes the statue as a deliberate contrast to the area’s existing monuments, referring to them simply as “both white, both men.” Those longstanding statues honor two historic figures: Father Francis P. Duffy, the most decorated military chaplain in U.S. history, and George M. Cohan, the Broadway pioneer and composer of You’re a Grand Old Flag.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Join our newsletter to receive updates on new articles and exclusive content.

We respect your privacy and will never share your information.

Stay Connected With Us

Follow our social channels for breaking news, exclusive content, and real-time updates.

WhatsApp Updates

Join our news group

Follow on X (Twitter)

@JFeedIsraelNews

Follow on Instagram

@jfeednews

Never miss a story - follow us on your preferred platform!

0