“N.Y.C. Legend” by Alexander Klingspor

Have you heard Alligators living in the New York City sewers? These creatures have survived urban legend, passed on by kids and adults alike in a tall tale that developed in the early 1920s and never quite died. Fear not, there are no real alligators roaming the New York City sewers (that we know of), but this bit of folklore has stood the test of time and the story continues to be shared.

Swedish Artist Alexander Klingspor pays tribute to this old urban legend in his latest bronze statue “N.Y.C. Legend,” currently on display at Union Square in Manhattan through June 2024. Klingspor’s statue follows the age-old tradition of myth becoming art, bringing to life the classic tale of the New York City Alligators.

Look closely enough at this installation, and you will find some modern touches alongside Klingspor’s alligator. A quarter represents the relic of a society becoming increasingly cashless, a plastic straw represents the growing awareness of plastic wastefulness, and a COVID test container represents what we have recently overcome. The trash left in this Alligator’s sewer is a testament to where New Yorkers have been, and where we are heading.

Soul Ancestors by Magda Love

One of the largest murals in New York is painted on the wall of a public school in the West Village. The mural at City-As-School consists of three enormous compositions by well-known muralists Kobra, Cern, and Magda Love. “Soul Ancestors” is the name of the portion painted by artist Magda Love. Born in Argentina, the artist has lived in New York City for more than 15 years, and is dedicated to adorning the city with colorful, captivating work. With the goal of giving New Yorkers a moment of thoughtful pause in their hectic day, her work draws on her own experiences to portray themes of “vulnerability, strength, nostalgia, sorrow and joy.” The artist says that “Soul Ancestors” is a celebration of femininity, “a song to all women who are putting their souls in what they do.” The colorful artwork is a bright addition to the school building and the neighborhood.

Murals by Kobra

Brazilian street artist Eduardo Kobra, better known simply as Kobra, has painted countless murals over the course of his career, many of which can be found in New York City. He has a distinct style, mixing black and white photorealism with geometric patterns in a rainbow of colors. He often layers color over the grayscale elements, creating figures that can seem simultaneously ghostly and very present. Once you know what to look for, you begin to see his work all over the city, especially in downtown Manhattan. The incredibly prolific artist often deals with social issues in his work, frequently commenting on immigration, race, war, and religion. He is a master of powerful, thought-provoking images that make any street corner more beautiful.

World Trade Center Mural Project

The World Trade Center “Mural Project” had its origins because of a collaboration between gallery owner Doug Smitch of the World Trade Gallery and Dara McQuillan of Silversten Properties. That collaboration, “Graffiti in the Sky,” featured sixty well-known street artists painting 34,000 square feet on the 69th floor of 4 World Trade Center, overlooking the 9/11 Memorial. After the success of this project, Silverstein Properties partnered with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to feature some of the same artists who have created large-scale murals on steel sheds at the future site of 2 World Trade Center next to the Oculus. We greatly enjoyed the infusion of color and artistry at this site, and the artists—including Joohee Park, known as Stickymonger—do a wonderful job of bringing to the site a message for a hopeful future.

Eduardo Kobra: Colors for Liberty

Eduardo Kobra’s colorful, playful murals can be spotted all across New York City. The famous Brazilian street artist has been active here since last year, painting Colors for Liberty, a series of 18 murals that share a message of peace and address injustices such as environmental problems, racism, and gun violence. Many of his pieces celebrate individuals who defined their generation by making a lasting positive impact in their community. Kobra remarks, “The idea is to use murals as a platform for issues that we are living with in the world today and talk about it in a peaceful way, without offending anyone or to promote hatred with my artworks.”

Pictured above are his murals around Chelsea and Soho: Albert Einstein We Love NY Squared,  Mount Rushmore with Andy Warhol, Frida Kahlo, Keith Haring and Basquiat, Gandhi and Mother Teresa, and Kid with America Balloon.