A fresh statue in the center of Times Square is drawing both praise and criticism, sparking a fierce controversy over public art, personality, and historical picture. Unveiled on April 29 and on screen until June 17, the 12-foot-tall metal figure, titled Grounded in the Stars, was created by British actor Thomas J Price as part of a broader assembly that includes animated banner works known as the Male Series. The initiative is presented by Times Square Arts and aims to challenge traditional statues while highlighting personal worth and marginalised names. Depicting a mythical Black person in casual clothes, with braided hair and a natural expression, the statue stands solidly on a lower base between the continuous statues of Father Francis P. Duffy and George M. Cohan. Price consciously placed his work in contrast to the traditional, white man numbers that dominate for public spaces.
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He describes the woman’s stance—with arms on sides and a contrapposto posture—as a gentle smile to Michelangelo’s David, representing power, calm, and representation. According to his website, the character is not modelled on a specific person but rather drawn from real-world observations and public submissions spanning cities like London and Los Angeles. The official Times Square website describes the sculpture as an effort to reimagine both monument and monumentality. It says the work invites a moment of empathy and reflection amidst the frenetic pace of the city. “The woman in Grounded in the Stars cuts a stark contrast to the pedestalled permanent monuments both white, both men which bookend Duffy Square, ” the site notes, calling it “an introspective meditation on humanity. ” But while organisers view the sculpture as a celebration of diversity and individuality, online reaction has been sharply divided. Some social media users have mocked the statue’s appearance, arguing that it reinforces stereotypes rather than confronting them. Others have gone further, accusing the piece of advancing identity politics instead of honouring shared values. Critics have compared the figure to a caricature, with some drawing an unflattering likeness to New York Attorney General Letitia James. Many were also sceptical of the comparison to Michelangelo’s David. Still, for many onlookers, especially tourists and residents of colour, the statue offers a meaningful and relatable image. One visitor from Dallas said the statue made her think about how much it would have meant to her as a child to see such representation. Another described it as “powerful” and “purposeful, ” praising its commanding presence in a traditionally white-dominated public space.
