Queens, NY TF Cornerstone (TFC) and Culture Lab LIC hosted a grand reveal at the Hunter’s Point South waterfront of the new sculpture garden, situated between 5203 and 5241 Center Blvd. The three sculptures were created by New York artists Kenny Greenberg, Paul Maus and Erwin List Sanchez, who were selected through a 2022 open call for public outdoor sculptures.
The celebratory event was held at the Hunter’s Point South waterfront, adjacent to 5241 and 5203 Center Blvd. The two towers, developed by TF Cornerstone, are made up of 1,194 residential units, including 719 permanently affordable homes. The sculpture garden is part of the master-planned, mixed-use and mixed-income community, park, school, and playground, situated along the East River in Long Island City.
The event featured speeches from all three artists, as well as celebratory remarks from Jon McMillan, senior vice president and director of planning at TF Cornerstone, and Edjo Wheeler, executive director of Culture Lab LIC, who led the open call for artists.
Santa Chiara, an authentic Italian pasticciera and cafe located at 5241 Center Blvd., sponsored the event with their pizza and gelato.
“We are very excited to unveil this new sculpture garden to the vibrant, creative community of Long Island City. By collaborating with these artists, we hope to bring visual interest and meaning to the public realm along the waterfront as well as infuse the area with a sense of communal life and energy. These sculptures serve as dynamic focal points that resonate with the artistic essence of Long Island City. Our vision is to create an urban environment where creativity thrives, forging a connection between art, landscape and the neighborhood,” said Jon McMillan, senior vice president and director of planning at TF Cornerstone.
“The artwork that Paul, Kenny and Erwin have created stands as a testament not only to their remarkable talent but also to the thriving artistic ecosystem that Long Island City has become,” said Edjo Wheeler, executive director of Culture Lab LIC. “Culture Lab is grateful for our continued relationship with TF Cornerstone, and we are proud to unveil these incredible art pieces which are a long-lasting contribution to the cultural tapestry of our community."
Paul Maus, a self-taught sculptor based in Cutchogue, began professionally sculpting in 2014 by creating Byzantine icons and three-dimensional abstract figurative works. Maus is now a consistent artist at William Ris Gallery in Jamesport. His selected piece, ‘Confidence,’ is part of an abstract white marble figurative series that portrays women asserting their identity against societal pressures. Created with a free-hand approach, the sculpture embodies the artist's concerns about environmental issues, racism, and gender inequality, while avoiding classical or clichéd representations.
"My approach to crafting 'Fortitude' celebrates the beauty of embracing the unexpected and the imperfections inherent in stone. This process is an embodiment of the very spontaneity that drives my artistic vision, allowing the sculpture to take shape organically in three dimensions,” said Maus. “I am genuinely excited to reveal this piece within the Hunter's Point South Sculpture Garden, and my aspiration is for it to serve as a catalyst for thought-provoking conversations that bridge the gap between art and the profound challenges that influence our global landscape.”
Kenny Greenberg is one of New York City’s leading neon specialists for theater, film, TV and fine arts. With collaborations ranging from esteemed artists to prestigious institutions, Greenberg’s work has graced public spaces, galleries and museums – such as the MoMA and Metropolitan – showcasing his dedication to illuminating the artistic realm. Greenberg submitted his original work, ‘ART DREAM,’ for the Hunter’s Point sculpture garden, which features handcrafted neon letters that are intended to create a small segment of a larger imaginary crossword puzzle.
"As an artist deeply rooted in New York's creative scene, I am thrilled to contribute 'ART DREAM' to the Hunter's Point South Sculpture Garden. This installation not only reflects my passion for neon artistry, but it also invites the community to engage in a playful exploration of language and imagination,” said Greenberg. "Art can lead us to dreams and dreams can lead to art.. I hope that the play between these words and the dancing and breathing letters are visually fun and inwardly affirmational."
Erwin List Sanchez is a Mexican-born artist who resides in Greenport. Sanchez forges and welds railroad spikes to create his sculptures, including life-size animal sculptures inspired by nature and the apocalyptic world of the wastelands. Sanchez has also created works for conservation projects, such as the Janos Biosphere Reserve in Northern Mexico. His piece within the sculpture garden, titled ‘The Moose Spirit,’ is a life-size moose made by forging and welding close to 1,000 old railroad spikes. It is intended to serve as a reminder to build a better future for life on Earth.
“With the unveiling of ‘The Moose Spirit’ in the sculpture garden, I am truly elated and hopeful that my artwork can ignite a sense of urgency in people to champion the cause of preserving nature,” said Sanchez. “I hope that my work will inspire people to take action to protect nature. We must all do our part to ensure that the moose spirit lives on.”
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