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.

“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.

“Love-ego= Lov Couple 1/4 wo/man” by Pavel (Pasha) Radetzki

This week, we set out on a downtown art pilgrimage through Lower Manhattan, chasing the vivid silhouette of “Love-ego = Love Couple 1/4 wo/man” by Pavel (Pasha) Radetzki located in Thomas Paine Park. Tucked into the city’s Civic Center, the sculpture immediately commands attention with its vivid color and striking form: two figures, each missing a quarter of their bodies. Radetzki’s choice of the missing fraction is intentional. It reflects the devastating population loss in the Paless’e or Polesia marshlands, Radetzki’s homeland along the Belarus–Ukraine border. By physically removing part of each figure, the artist makes absence visible, transforming statistics into something human and deeply felt. The work becomes not just a sculpture, but a quiet call for peace and remembrance. The placement of the sculpture adds even more resonance. Located near the historic sites of the Small Collect Pond and the African Burial Ground and set against the imposing backdrop of the New York State Supreme Court, the piece invites reflection on justice, memory, and our collective responsibility to confront humanitarian loss.

“Nurturing Tree” by Judith Modrak

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Stuyvesant Square stands “Nurturing Tree,” a 2025 installation by New York City–based artist Judith Modrak. Known for her bright sculptures inspired by the social and natural sciences, Modrak brings a sense of wonder and reflection to this striking piece. Its vibrant purple, and almost alien, outstretched arms echo the form of the beloved mother elm tree that anchored the community for more than three centuries. The sculpture rises directly from the elm’s remaining stump, which now serves as its pedestal, a powerful reminder that beauty and meaning can emerge from spaces shaped by loss. Commissioned by the Stuyvesant Park Neighborhood Association, “Nurturing Tree” encourages viewers to consider how kindness can be cultivated wherever we plant it. Brightly colored seed pods scattered across the sculpture symbolize small acts of care and compassion, each one carrying the potential to take root and spread far beyond the park itself.

"Kânh Chhrôôl (Gluta Usitata), Melembu, and Khlông (Dipterocarpus Tuberculatus)" by Sopheap Pich

This week, we explored the High Line to experience Kânh Chhrôôl (Gluta Usitata), Melembu, and Khlông (Dipterocarpus Tuberculatus) by Cambodian artist Sopheap Pich on view through August 2026. Known for transforming natural materials into sculptures inspired by bodily organs and plant structures, Pich’s pods suspended above West 24th Street are crafted from copper, gleaming in the sunlight while embracing natural hues. Raised during the Cambodian genocide, Pich’s work often weaves themes of memory, nature, and migration. This piece is no exception. It references the hardwood trees in the garden of the National Museum of Cambodia, whose pods spiral through the air, traveling long distances before settling. These forms serve as a poignant metaphor for human migration and the lasting effects of conflict and displacement. This evocative installation also draws attention to environmental fragility. The trees are threatened by poaching for their valuable timber, reminding us of the delicate balance between human impact and the resilience of nature. Pich’s installation invites reflection on history, movement, and the intricacies of the natural world around us.

“Improvisations in the Park” by Larry Bell

Happy New Year! We hope you enjoyed a restful holiday season filled with meaningful moments with friends and family. To kick off the year, we ventured just steps away to Madison Square Park for our first exhibition of 2026: “Improvisations in the Park”, a striking glass installation by New Mexico–based artist Larry Bell. With nearly seventy years of artistic practice, Bell is internationally celebrated for his masterful and innovative use of glass to create captivating minimalist forms. This installation marks his largest outdoor presentation to date and draws inspiration from musical improvisation, inviting viewers to notice how the glass structures shift and transform with changing light, weather, and seasons. As the year unfolds, the work encourages us to slow down, observe closely, and embrace new perspectives. Its message of welcoming change, nuance, and embracing seasonal beauty feels especially fitting as we step into 2026 with curiosity, openness, and renewed creative energy.

"First Sun" by Monira Al Qadiri

While still adjusting to the weekend’s time change and in search of as much sunlight as we can gather, we wandered through New York’s Central Park in search of “First Sun”, a stunning aluminum sculpture by Senegalese artist Monira Al Qadiri. Positioned at the park’s southeast corner, the piece greets visitors with a mesmerizing play of color and light.

“First Sun” reimagines Khepri, the ancient Egyptian god of the rising sun, denoted by the deity’s scarab face, cast in shimmering purples and blues that shift with the sunlight. The sculpture’s reflective surface and ever-changing hues engage the viewer in a dynamic dialogue with the piece and the natural world  which surrounds it.

Al Qadiri’s choice of location is extremely intentional. The sculpture serves as a symbolic gateway to one of New York’s most beloved green spaces, encouraging visitors to reflect on the transition from the stylized cityscape to the wild of the park. “First Sun” invites us to pause, reconnect with nature, and appreciate the balance between humans and the humble creatures that share our world.