12-Foot Bronze Sculpture of Plus-Size Black Woman Ignites Controversy, Drawing Both Praise and Criticism

NEW YORK CITY – A 12-foot bronze statue titled Grounded in the Stars, created by British artist Thomas J. Price, was unveiled in Times Square on May 5, 2025, prompting a firestorm of reactions across social media and public discourse. The towering sculpture, depicting a fictional plus-size Black woman, stands at Broadway and 46th Street as part of the Times Square Arts Projects and is set to remain until June 17, 2025. Intended to foster reflection on the human condition, the statue has instead become a lightning rod for debates about representation, identity politics, and public art.

The statue, described by Price as a composite inspired by observations and open calls in New York, Los Angeles, and London, is a deliberate contrast to the two permanent statues in Duffy Square, both of white men. Its everyday attire and subtle nod to Michelangelo’s David aim to celebrate ordinary yet powerful femininity. According to Times Square’s official website, the installation seeks to unite diverse stories in a global crossroads, encouraging empathy and introspection. Supporters laud the statue for its bold inclusivity, with one X user writing, “This 12ft bronze statue in Times Square breaks the mold, celebrating a plus-size Black woman in a space dominated by statues of men.” Others see it as a vital step toward diversifying public art, which has historically underrepresented women and people of color.

However, the statue has faced sharp criticism, with detractors arguing it promotes an agenda rooted in identity politics. Some have mocked its appearance, with one X post comparing the figure’s expression to “someone about to argue with a cashier at Target.” Others have questioned the choice to emphasize a plus-size figure, with comments like, “Is this a good example for a healthy looking body?” circulating online. The controversy intensified when critics, including prominent voices on X, suggested the statue was a deliberate jab at traditional heroic monuments, replacing “American heroes” with what they called “forced worship of obesity and woke ideology.” One post falsely claimed the statue was titled “Sugarfoot” and linked it to health issues like type-II diabetes, further inflaming tensions.

The statue’s unveiling also coincided with unrelated political jabs, as some online commentators drew comparisons to New York Attorney General Letitia James, with one user quipping, “If the statue were true to size today, it needs to be wider.” These remarks, often tied to recent political attacks on James by former President Donald Trump, have muddied the conversation, shifting focus from the artwork’s intent to personal and political vendettas.

Art historians and cultural critics have weighed in, noting that public art often provokes strong reactions when it challenges norms. Dr. Aisha Coleman, a professor of African American studies at NYU, said, “Statues like this force us to confront who we choose to monumentalize and why. The backlash reveals discomfort with centering Black women in spaces where they’ve been historically erased.” Conversely, conservative commentator Matt Walsh argued on X, “They tear down statues of American heroes and replace them with statues of random obese Black women because the Left has no historical heroes.”

The Times Square Arts commission, backed by the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Foundation and the New York State Council on the Arts, has defended the installation, emphasizing its role in sparking dialogue. Price himself stated, “My work is meant to become part of the place it inhabits, reflecting the people who pass by.” Yet, as reactions range from admiration to ridicule, the statue underscores a broader cultural divide over how and whom society chooses to celebrate.

As Grounded in the Stars stands tall amid the neon lights of Times Square, it continues to draw crowds—some to reflect, others to protest. Whether seen as a symbol of empowerment or a flashpoint for controversy, the statue has undeniably succeeded in commanding attention and igniting conversation in one of the world’s busiest public spaces.