Thomas J Price’s 12-Foot Bronzes Take Over New York

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Thomas J Price, a renowned British artist, makes a dual impact in New York City – a colossal sculpture set amidst the bustle of Times Square and a significant solo exhibition at Hauser & Wirth, his inaugural show with their Wooster Street gallery. Through quietude and magnitude, Price prompts reflection: Who is allowed to tower in public areas? Who earns recognition in bronze?

Beneath a sea of billboards stands “Grounded in the Stars” (2023), a 12-foot statue of a woman who exudes tranquil authority over onlookers. Unlike depictions based on an individual, this figure represents a fusion of faces from diverse global locations, leaving her identity ambiguous and open to interpretation. A subtle nod to Michelangelo’s “David” is seen in the slight bend of her knee and relaxed pose, yet she gracefully challenges traditional sculptural norms of triumph by embodying quiet elegance and relatability.

In the city center, Price carries on his investigation of grandeur with five imposing statues titled “Resilience of Scale“. Crafted through digital sculpting and lost-wax-casting, these bronzes, similar to their counterparts in Midtown, pay tribute to ordinary people using materials and size traditionally reserved for rulers like kings and emperors. The gallery explains that the works collectively magnify historically overlooked bodies and challenge traditional power structures, prompting discussions about whom we decide to honor in art. Dressed casually and displaying relaxed poses, they emit a sense of deep contemplation – as if lost in thought instead of a performance.

The artworks titled “Grounded in the Stars” and “Resilience of Scale” are currently being exhibited in New York. Aside from the sculptures, Price’s stop-motion animation series called “Man Series” will be displayed nightly on Times Square from 11:57 PM to 12 AM EST as part of the Midnight Moment program, until May.

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2025-04-29 23:55