Brooklyn Bonsai Bar

This Wednesday, we headed across the East River for a fun and creative evening at the Bonsai Bar event hosted at Farm.One, a unique local venue known for cultivating some of the world’s best salad greens and specialty herbs! Over the course of the evening, our patient instructors Sophie and Daniel taught us the basics of the ancient Japanese art form of bonsai with our own dwarf jade plants. From root pruning techniques to control the plant’s size to the aesthetic principles that allow the young shrub to develop into a small tree that looks wise beyond its years, we were lucky to receive a hands-on introduction to the craft that seeks to capture the beautiful patterns of nature.

After some seemingly aggressive potting and trimming, we began to shape our plants and each bonsai began to take on its own unique character, ready to grow and evolve over time (fingers crossed). We wrapped up the evening with a photoshoot of our creations and headed home with beautiful new plants to brighten both our homes and office spaces. Here’s hoping our bonsai thrive under slightly less supervision than we required that evening.

A New Banksy in London

In the early morning hours of April twenty-ninth, while most across London were still sleeping, the globally recognizable but publicly anonymous street artist Banksy was hard at work constructing a new statue in Waterloo Place. The sculpture depicts a suited man stepping off a raised platform, brandishing an unmarked flag which ripples across his face as his next footstep finds empty air. We captured photos of this newly raised statue, a departure from Banksy’s usual spray-painted artwork. The nameless man stands among existing memorials for King Edward VII, Florence Nightingale, and other prominent British figures. With straight lines and steady shoulders, he exudes confidence, yet the flag holding his allegiance obscures his view of the imminent danger in his path. Banksy both signed the piece and took to social media to take credit in a short video. When asked about the statue’s future prospects, a representative of London Mayor Sadiq Khan wrote to the New York Times that Banksy’s “work always draws great interest and debate, and the mayor is hopeful that his latest piece can be preserved for Londoners and visitors to enjoy.” A striking if not subtle piece, the statue remains where it was surreptitiously built…for now.

Elephant Parade

While across the pond, we were lucky to catch the tail end of the Elephant Parade at London’s iconic Battersea Power Station, and what a treat it was. For this traveling installation, twenty-one life sized elephant sculptures decorated by artists from the Netherlands to Thailand, to Mexico, adorned the historic site. Boasting hides embellished with depictions of animals, plants, and more, the path created a captivating scavenger hunt throughout the station, and we had the pleasure of getting to learn about each artist’s motivations in our quest. Not only is the whimsical trail of elephants a delight to behold, but the exhibition also supports the wildlife charity Elephant Family, whose mission is to protect Asia’s most vulnerable species and habitats. Although the parade is no longer on display in London, we can’t wait to see where the herd goes next!

“Talisman, A Secret Grove” By Michele Oka Donner

Spring has finally arrived in NYC! In our search for beautiful blooms across the city, we stumbled upon the “Talisman, A Sacred Grove” an installation by Michele Oka Donner, an internationally renowned American artist situated outside the Park Avenue Armory. Blending into the spring greenery and the pink cherry blossoms, the piece recalls the ancient forest that predated the cityscape, through 300 handcrafted papier-mâché talismans which hang on the branches of trees among the natural detritus of a forest floor. At night, the piece is illuminated, giving the charms a magical glow, like fireflies flickering in a twilight forest. Over time, the elements will reshape the talismans, and the seasons will transform the trees of the grove, reminding us of the ever-changing nature of the seasons and the excitement of the warm days to come.

"Revolution!"

In preparation for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the United States, we took a trip to the iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art to experience “Revolution!” Tucked away within the maze of the museum’s wing of American art, this temporary exhibition brings together objects created before, during, and after the Revolutionary War, offering a layered view of a transformative era in American history. At the center of the installation are a series of prints, a medium that enabled artists to produce and circulate powerful imagery quickly, helping to spread revolutionary ideas during the upheaval of the late 18th century. The matrices used to create the original prints are incredibly detailed, showcasing the artists’ dedication to not only their craft but to unshackling the colonies from the rule of the British crown. Together, these works invite reflection on the many histories that shaped the United States, from Indigenous sovereignty to ongoing debates about liberty and identity, issues that continue to resonate in the present day. If you are looking to engage with a piece of US history and see some beautiful pieces of art, we highly recommend you stop by this exhibit!

Artists whose work is featured:

Asher Brown Durand

Anonymous, French, 18th century

Philip Dawe

“All One” by Jason McCormack

We love to explore the many pockets of nature within New York City, and this week we had the pleasure of exploring Riverside Park South, a recreational area along the Hudson River which blends the industrial heritage of the New York Central Railroad’s 60th Street Yard, with modern landscaping and design. Rising naturally from this setting is “All One” by Jason McCormack of the Art Students League. Composed of three distinct human heads wrapped in rotating bands of primary color, the sculpture draws attention to the layered histories of its location and the complexity of individual identity. Each color reflects the richness of human diversity, while the unified form and title gently underscore a shared connection, reminding us that despite our differences, we are part of one human story.

“The Raft” by Kenneth Doherty

While exploring Riverside Park last week, we came across “The Raft” by Kenneth Doherty, a member of the Art Students League of New York, and knew it merited its own post. Set against the sweeping backdrop of the Hudson River, the piece seems to emerge from the water itself, as though rising from unseen depths. The sculpture portrays a group clustered tightly on a tilted platform, their bodies leaning together in uneasy balance. Some faces convey fear and urgency, while others project quiet resilience, hinting at a shared struggle. Although the narrative is left open-ended, the figures suggest flight, an escape from unknown forces. The work inevitably calls to mind contemporary images of refugees navigating perilous seas, as well as the broader political tensions and environmental uncertainties that drive such journeys. In its stillness, “The Raft” captures motion, vulnerability, and endurance all at once, inviting viewers to confront both human fragility and collective strength.

“Library for All” by Aseel Sawalha

This week, we went on a hunt for “Library for All” a creation by artist Aseel Sawalha which sits on the banks of the Hudson River in the northern stretch of the tranquil Riverside Park. Although we initially struggled to locate the sculpture, when we spotted the massive turquoise piece from the terrace overlooking the park, we rushed down the steps, leading us down to the banks of the river. Resembling a massive turquoise drill on a slight angle to burrow into the ground, the sculpture looks like it could teeter with just a slight gust of wind. Upon closer inspection, the piece is composed of sturdy found books arranged in different orientations to create its unique shape. The shape is no accident. Sawalha’s distinctly manmade form mirrors the industrial structures that disrupt the natural landscape. In conjunction with the natural materials present in the recycled writings that make up the piece, this installation on display through September 2026 is a must see for nature lovers and bookworms alike.

"Chasing Rainbows" by Charlotte Colbert

As the weather begins to shift and hints of spring bring a renewed sense of optimism, we recently came across the two-part installation “Chasing Rainbows” by UK-based multimedia artist Charlotte Colbert, curated by New Public. Placed across New York’s Flatiron and Meatpacking neighborhoods, the towering sculptures invite passersby to pause amid the city’s constant movement and reconnect with a sense of curiosity and wonder about the world around them. Set in the shadow of the Flatiron Building, “Dreamland Sirens” takes the shape of a watchful eye supported by cascading mirrored tears that reflect the viewer and the surrounding city. With its unmistakable resemblance to the protective evil eye motif found across many cultures, we like to think it might also be quietly keeping watch over all of us.   Nearby, “Where Angels Live” appears as a steel tree adorned with talismans and symbols representing meaning across cultures, religions, and personal beliefs. Together, the sculptures evoke protection, reflection, and perhaps a hopeful signal that brighter days lie ahead.