5 Shocking Secrets Behind The New Times Square Statue That Sparked A Global Debate

Every year, the dazzling, chaotic heart of Manhattan—Times Square—is transformed by temporary public art installations that capture the world's attention, and as of the current date, December 11, 2025, none has sparked more intense curiosity and debate than the monumental figure currently standing at Broadway and 46th Street. The statue, titled Grounded in the Stars, is a towering 12-foot bronze sculpture by British artist Thomas J Price, and its presence is a deliberate, powerful challenge to centuries of traditional monumental art.

This installation, presented by Times Square Arts, is far more than just a photo opportunity; it is a profound statement on identity, representation, and who society chooses to monumentalize. From its surprisingly controversial subject matter to the artist's own fascinating journey, here are the five secrets and facts you need to know about the new Times Square statue that has become a global talking point.

Thomas J Price: Complete Artist Biography and Profile

The sculptor behind the monumental figure is Thomas J Price, a multidisciplinary British artist whose work consistently challenges viewers to reconsider who deserves to be memorialized in bronze and stone. His career is defined by a commitment to elevating the ordinary, a theme that makes his Times Square installation so compelling.

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• Full Name: Thomas J Price
• Born: 1981
• Birthplace: London, England
• Nationality: British
• Education:
  • Chelsea College of Art (Studied Sculpture, 2001-2004)
  • Royal College of Art (MA)
• Primary Medium: Sculpture (primarily bronze), Film, and Photography.
• Key Themes: Representation, identity, socio-economic status, and the monumentalization of the everyday person.
• Notable Collections: The Studio Museum in Harlem (New York), The Donum Estate (Sonoma, CA), and various international private collections.
• Early Work: Initially known for stop-motion animations and sculptures of contemporary male figures, his later work, including *Grounded in the Stars*, has shifted focus to Black female figures.

Price lives and works in London, but his powerful figurative sculpture has garnered international acclaim, making his selection by Times Square Arts a major milestone in his career and a significant moment for New York City's public art landscape.

1. The Statue’s Radical Subject: Monumentalizing The Unsung

The first and most important secret of *Grounded in the Stars* is its subject. The 12-foot-tall, matte black bronze figure is not a historical hero, a political leader, or a mythical figure. Instead, it depicts a casually dressed young Black woman looking down at her phone.

This choice is radical in the context of traditional public monuments. For centuries, bronze statues have been reserved for powerful, predominantly white men, often depicted in heroic poses on pedestals. Price subverts this tradition by using the monumental scale and material of classical sculpture—bronze—to immortalize an ordinary person.

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The figure is a composite of features drawn from various sources, making her a universal representation rather than a specific individual. She is dressed in simple, contemporary clothing, standing in a moment of quiet contemplation amidst the sensory overload of Times Square. This juxtaposition forces passersby to stop and consider who we elevate and why.

The title itself, *Grounded in the Stars*, suggests a connection between the everyday reality of the figure ("Grounded") and her inherent potential and cosmic significance ("in the Stars"), reinforcing the idea that ordinary Black womanhood is worthy of monumental recognition.

2. It Was Installed in a Highly Current, Specific Window of 2025

In the rapidly changing world of Times Square art, the installation's dates are crucial for topical authority. *Grounded in the Stars* was unveiled on April 29, 2025, and is scheduled to be on view until June 14, 2025. This limited-time window makes the statue a truly current event and a must-see piece of public art for visitors to New York City in the spring of 2025.

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The installation is part of a larger, concurrent presentation by Times Square Arts, which also includes another of Price's works, *Man on the Bench* (2020), displayed in a separate location. This dual showing emphasizes Price’s focus on contemporary Black life and the theme of resilience.

The Times Square Alliance, through its Arts program, is the driving force behind these temporary installations, using the world’s busiest intersection as a massive, high-visibility gallery for contemporary performance and visual arts. This program ensures that the public space remains a dynamic, evolving canvas for cultural commentary.

3. The Public Reaction Sparked Immediate Controversy and Debate

A statue of a young woman looking at her phone might seem innocuous, but its monumental size and the figure's Black identity immediately ignited a fierce public debate, proving the artist's intention to challenge the status quo.

The controversy centers on the statue's use of a monumental form for a non-heroic subject. Critics, particularly online, questioned why a figure in such a passive, everyday pose—or specifically a Black female figure—was elevated to the status traditionally reserved for historical figures. Some reactions were overtly negative, with comments ranging from dismissing it as "leftist nonsense" to arguing it was a waste of public space.

Conversely, supporters celebrated the work as a necessary and powerful act of reclamation. They argue that placing a figure of an ordinary Black woman on a 12-foot pedestal in a global center like Times Square is a profound statement on visibility, respect, and inherent worth. The sculpture forces viewers to acknowledge the presence and humanity of those often overlooked in public spaces and art history.

This debate over who is worthy of public art is precisely what Price intended, making *Grounded in the Stars* one of the most talked-about public sculptures in NYC history.

4. It Stands Alongside Times Square’s Permanent Monuments

To fully understand the significance of the temporary installation, one must recognize the permanent statues that anchor Times Square, providing a historical contrast to Price’s contemporary work. *Grounded in the Stars* stands in dialogue with these established monuments, highlighting the evolution of public art.

• George M. Cohan: Located at the southern end of Times Square, this bronze statue honors Cohan (1878–1942), a composer, playwright, and actor often called "The Man Who Owned Broadway." He is depicted in a classic, heroic stance.
• Father Francis P. Duffy: Located in Duffy Square (the northern triangle of Times Square), this statue honors Father Duffy, a decorated military chaplain from World War I. This monument, like Cohan's, represents a historical figure celebrated for traditional heroism and public service.

Price’s piece, by placing a contemporary, non-heroic Black woman near these historical figures, creates a powerful visual and political tension. It asks: If Cohan represents the history of Broadway, who represents the future of New York City? The answer, according to Price, is the everyday person, the one who is often ignored.

5. The Sculpture is a Masterpiece of Figurative Scale

The technical execution of *Grounded in the Stars* is as important as its political statement. Thomas J Price is a master of figurative sculpture, and his technique subtly enhances the statue’s message.

The work is a monumental sculpture, standing at 12 feet tall, yet the figure herself is depicted with a sense of quiet intimacy. She is not performing; she is simply existing. The use of a matte black finish on the bronze prevents the figure from reflecting the dizzying neon lights of Times Square, giving her a grounded, almost absorbent quality that contrasts sharply with the sensory excess around her.

This contrast is deliberate: the sculpture acts as an anchor in the whirlwind of commercialism and movement. By using this colossal scale, Price elevates the figure from an invisible member of the crowd to an undeniable, powerful presence, forcing the millions of daily visitors to confront the quiet dignity of a person who would otherwise be lost in the rush. It is a powerful example of how contemporary public art can redefine urban space and spark essential conversations about cultural values.