They say art is subjective, which is the case for the newest Black woman statue in New York City’s iconic Times Square. Created by Black British artist Thomas J. Price, the internet has been in a frenzy over Price’s “Grounded In the Stars Statue.” The statue is a towering 12-foot-tall bronze sculpture of a young Black woman dressed in a t-shirt, jeans, and simple trainers.
A Statue That Speaks Without Saying a Word
Although they’re aren’t nearly enough big and bold Black woman sculptures in New York City, Price’s piece received racist backlash. Users on social media platforms including TikTok and Instagram called the art piece “monstrous” and “fat, black and ugly.”
On the other hand, some Black people have criticized the outfit on the statue, calling it too ordinary and in some cases unkempt and unstylish. Installed as part of Times Square’s spring public art series, the piece invites people to consider how Black women exist and take up space on their own terms. While some people criticize the statue’s casual outfit and minimal stance, others interpret it as a subtle, powerful statement.
This statue is a vision of Black womanhood that’s unbothered and unwavering. Sometimes, Black women feel pressured to always be on-go and on-the-ball, and that can be exhausting.
In a society with grand monuments that often celebrate colonial conquest, toxic patriarchy or racist history, “Grounded in the Stars” offers something entirely different. According to Price’s official website, the whole point of his piece was to be ordinary.
“A fictionalized character constructed from images, observations, and open calls spanning between Los Angeles and London, the young woman depicted in “Grounded in the Stars” carries familiar qualities, from her stance and countenance to her everyday clothing. Through scale, materiality, and posture, “Grounded in the Stars” disrupts traditional ideas around what defines a triumphant figure and challenges who should be rendered immortal through monumentalization,” his website reads.
Lizzo Joins the Celebration
The statue has also caught the attention of major figures including Lizzo. In May, the “About Damn Time” singer shared a video of her posing next to the statue on Instagram. In a now-viral video, Lizzo walks up to the sculpture, dressed in the same clothes and hairstyle, recreating the pose.
The audio is seemingly a snippet of one of Lizzo’s upcoming songs. “I thank god for this big black beautiful silhouette. Trying to break my confidence can’t even make a dent,” she can be heard saying.
It’s a deeply emotional moment that captures how affirming it is to see yourself reflected in art. Fans have widely shared Lizzo’s post and pointed out how the statue’s everyday look makes it even more meaningful.
“I was so saddened by the comments from my sistas about this work of art. This makes my heart smile to see ❤️. We are all so beautifully crafted.,” one commenter wrote.
A Black Body of Work
“Grounded in the Stars” isn’t alone. In fact, Price has a wide range of sculptures of Black women that have been displayed at various locations. A Reddit post from r/BlackLadies shared that she ran into a “sister” sculpture on the West Coast. The artist’s “As Sounds Turn to Noise” was on display at San Francisco’s Embarcadero promenade until January 2025. The work expresses a similar sentiment as the New York installation. Viewers are asked to observe a young Black woman wearing casual clothes and standing tall with calm confidence.
“I saw this beauty while visiting family in San Francisco and stopped and stared for a long while. I was just struck at how beautiful and normal she looks. She could be any young Black lady going for a jog. The braids. The leggings. The sneakers,” the Reddit user shared.
Another sculpture, “Moments Contained,” can be found at the Rotterdam Central Station. According to Price’s website, the sculputre is a permanent piece of artwork there.
“Combining details and materials referencing classical ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian sculptures with subtleties observed from daily life, Thomas J Price explores societal expectations and assumptions, whilst considering the space created between the viewer and the work itself,” Price’s site reads.
Price also has done a series of busts that include several depictions of Black women. His “Ancient Feelings” was on display at the National Gallery in London in 2024.
Aside from the adversity, many Black women feel seen and not sensationalized or stereotyped by these sculptures. This is part of what makes them so moving for Black women around the world. Instead, it questions society’s decision on memorializing certain figures. In other words, why not make a bronze, larger-than-life sculpture of a Black woman?
Not Just Seen, But Centered
What makes “Grounded in the Stars” and Price’s other works particularly striking are their refusal to dramatize. There’s no extra bells and whistles. Instead, the women stand in everyday clothes neutral expressions. Some appear as if they are dreaming. They are a reminder that Black women should be celebrated simply for existing, not just for surviving or looking flawless.
Challenging Black Beauty Standards
Additionally, some critics expressed discomfort with the artist’s choice to represent a Black woman of NYC as an average plus-size woman. However, although some Black women scoffed at the simpleness of the statue, they know Black women who look exactly like the sculpture. Additionally, society often tells women who beautifully embody the statue that they’re not enough—whether because of their casual clothing, natural features, or hairstyles.
Choosing to artistically and physically amplify a Black woman is breaking unhealthy beauty standards. This 12-foot sculpture isn’t perpetuating stereotypes about Black women being sassy or angry. It’s challenging the status quo about how Black women need to present in public spaces. Black women are suitable and appropriate just the way they are, whether dressed up in a glamorous outfit or keeping things chill in a casual look.
Art That Honors and Uplifts
As the conversation around representation in art continues to grow, statues like these offer a refreshing shift. They signal a move towards intentionality. For now, “Grounded in the Stars” will remain in Times Square through the summer, where thousands pass it daily, whether they notice her or not. But for those who do, it can serve as a soft monument to a truth many hold: Black women don’t need to be extraordinary to deserve our gaze. They already are.