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.