Towering 12 feet above the bustling crowds of Times Square stands a powerful new presence. British artist Thomas J. Price’s bronze statue “Grounded in the Stars” depicts a young Black woman in everyday clothes, standing with quiet confidence amidst the chaos. The striking installation has quickly become a conversation starter since its unveiling. Positioned at the intersection of Broadway Avenue and 46th Street, this monumental figure will remain on display until June 17.
The statue’s placement is particularly significant. It shares space with long-standing monuments to white men like playwright George M. Cohan and priest Francis P. Duffy. Through this juxtaposition, Price challenges traditional notions of who deserves commemoration. The artwork has sparked both praise and reflection among tourists and locals alike.
Monumental Bronze Artwork Challenges Historical Representation in Public Spaces
“Through scale, materiality, and posture, ‘Grounded in the Stars’ disrupts traditional ideas around what defines a triumphant figure,” reads the official installation description. The statue deliberately confronts expectations about “who should be rendered immortal through monumentalization.” This question strikes at the heart of ongoing conversations about representation in public art.
The figure stands confidently in a pose reminiscent of Michelangelo’s “David.” Yet Price reimagines this classical stance through a contemporary Black woman dressed in casual clothing. This deliberate choice creates a powerful visual statement about worth and visibility. The bronze material traditionally reserved for “great men” of history now elevates an everyday Black woman.
Price’s artistic vision aims to transform how viewers experience public spaces. “The intention of my public works is to become part of the place they inhabit and its physical, material history,” the artist explained in a statement. His work invites passersby to reconsider their surroundings and question whose stories deserve telling.
British Artist Thomas J. Price Creates Fictional Figures Based on Real Communities
The subject of “Grounded in the Stars” doesn’t represent any specific individual. Instead, Price crafted this fictional character based on observations and open calls conducted from London to Los Angeles. This approach connects the work to real communities while creating a universal figure.
Price has employed this same method for other works. His exhibition “Resilience of Scale” at Hauser & Wirth gallery in New York City features five similar bronze figures. This concurrent show runs until June 14, allowing art enthusiasts to experience his vision across multiple venues.
“If these fictional characters are from a gender or perceived race that you have decided should not be at this level,” Price told The Art Newspaper, “and suddenly you see them presented in their gloriousness, it challenges people’s internal landscapes.” This challenge appears central to his artistic mission. By elevating overlooked identities, he confronts viewers’ assumptions about worthiness and importance.
Times Square Installation Creates Moment for Reflection in Frenetic Urban Environment
The statue creates an unexpected oasis of contemplation in one of New York’s busiest intersections. Amidst advertising billboards and rushing pedestrians, “Grounded in the Stars” demands a moment of pause. This contrast between the figure’s calm demeanor and the surrounding energy highlights the work’s impact.
Price hopes his artwork will inspire genuine connection among viewers. He aims to “bind intimate emotional states that allow for deeper reflection around the human condition and greater cultural diversity.” This ambitious goal transforms the statue from mere decoration into a catalyst for meaningful engagement.
Times Square Arts, the organization behind this installation, has a history of presenting thought-provoking public art. The location sees approximately 330,000 visitors daily, providing an unparalleled platform for artists. Price’s work now joins this tradition of using this iconic space to challenge perceptions and spark dialogue.
Midnight Moment Animation Complements Bronze Installation With Moving Portraits
“Grounded in the Stars” represents just one half of Price’s current Times Square presence. His second installation, “Man Series,” brings additional dimension to his artistic statement. This stop-motion animation features sculpted male heads appearing across 95 screens throughout the square.
The “Man Series” shows every night from 11:57 p.m. to midnight through May. This timing places it within Times Square’s prestigious “Midnight Moment” program, which has previously featured legendary artists like Andy Warhol and Yoko Ono. The nightly display adds a dynamic element to Price’s exploration of identity and representation.
Together, these installations create a comprehensive artistic intervention in one of the world’s most visible public spaces. While the bronze statue stands unchanging, the digital faces shift and transform. This duality mirrors the complex nature of identity itself – both enduring and ever-evolving.
Art World Responds to Bold Statement on Identity and Monumentality
Price’s installation arrives during ongoing national conversations about public monuments. Recent years have seen intense debate about which historical figures deserve commemoration. “Grounded in the Stars” offers a forward-looking perspective on this discussion.
Rather than simply removing controversial monuments, Price demonstrates the power of adding new voices. His work doesn’t attempt to erase history but instead expands it. The statue creates space for overlooked narratives while acknowledging the complexity of representation.
“It challenges people’s internal landscapes,” Price noted about his work. This internal challenge may prove more significant than any external controversy. By presenting viewers with an image that contradicts typical monument subjects, he invites personal reflection about whose humanity we recognize and celebrate.
Visitor Reactions Highlight Powerful Impact of Seeing Black Women Celebrated in Bronze
Tourists and New Yorkers alike have responded strongly to the installation. Many visitors pause to take photographs, creating their own personal record of this temporary monument. For some Black women visitors especially, seeing someone who resembles them immortalized in bronze carries profound emotional weight.
The statue’s positioning within Times Square ensures extraordinary visibility. With hundreds of thousands of daily visitors from across the globe, “Grounded in the Stars” reaches an audience far beyond typical gallery attendees. This accessibility transforms the conversation around representation into a truly public dialogue.
Though temporary, Price’s installation leaves a lasting impression on those who encounter it. When the statue departs in June, its memory will remain in countless photographs, social media posts, and most importantly, in the minds of those who experienced its powerful presence. The questions it raises about who deserves remembrance will continue long after the bronze figure returns to the studio.
(@hearherstories)
