NYC's public art ranges from the world famous to the unknown.
In a city that boasts several of the world's great museums, some of the best works are in the public spaces of New York from works on the street to icons in the harbor, from ornate parks designed by the elite to underground subcultures creating their works in secret.
Global Icons
Some of the world's great icons are here for all to see
In the harbor of New York, perhaps the greatest piece of public sculpture in the United States, the Statue of Liberty by Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi has been greeting travelers and New Americans since 1886.
At Bowling Green the world-famous Charging Bull of the free market poses for endless photos with capitalist dreamers and detractors alike. Patience & Fortitude stand before the NYC Central Library protecting the knowledge and wisdom that is offered to all visitors.
Paul Manship's glowing bronze Prometheus statue has served as the backdrop to countless ice skating scenes, "Today Show" live shots, "Saturday Night Live" promos and "30 Rock" scenes.
Art in Public Spaces
Art makes public spaces into galleries au naturel.
Socrates Sculpture Park in Long Island City, Queens features some two dozen or more rotating works by independent artists set against a backdrop of midtown Manhattan and the East River a few feet away.
Central Park's many traditional sculptures, hidden gardens and bridges, castles and Egyptian obelisks supply a near endless display of public art. The Children's Sculpture Garden at St. John the Divine is the favorite place of every local child who reads segments from famous tales and loses herself in the surreal images.
Underground Art
Underground artwork abounds.
Home to hundreds of artworks, the NYC subway not only brings you to the museums above but offers great exhibits on the way. Highlights include the Greek mosaics at the Lincoln Center station, and the Harlem Timeline at 135th street.
Famed subway artist turned mainstream Keith Haring's work can be found in public areas throughout the city including his "Crack is Wack" mural at 128th street and FDR Drive.
Some of NYC's most creative and unique public art is now gone. The subway graffiti art which once dominated the city subculture has been cleaned and can now only be found in books and movies about its heyday.
