Sculpture at Basilica Now in New York

Right around the time the pandemic shut down the entire state, a sculpture, readily recognized as the work of Kris Perry, appeared at Basilica Hudson. 

Because of the pandemic, Basilica Hudson was forced to cancel its spring season, greatly reducing the number of people who would see and experience the sculpture, which Perry called Mother Earth. Commenting in the situation, Perry said, "While their doors are closed for now, the creativity and community nurtured within lives on. Basilica's focus in 2020 is on the natural environment, so I have been thrilled to install my newest steel sculpture, Mother Earth, on their grounds. I have worked with their team to create an outdoor space to visit in this difficult time--a perfect place for self-reflection. I hope that during its stay at Basilica Hudson, Mother Earth will serve as [a] symbol of hope and a testament to resilience in the days ahead." For those of us who have seen it and experienced it over the past five months, it has.

At the beginning of August, the sculpture was disassembled and moved to New York City, where it is now installed at the 98th Street entrance for Rockaway Beach in Queens, as part of NYS Parks "Art in the Parks" program.

Photo: Angus Mordant

Photo: Paul Clemence

The sculpture will remain at this site for a year, until August 2021. You can read more about the artist, the sculpture, and its new location here, here, and here.