Carmen Herrera's Monumental Sculptures Illuminate New York's City Hall Park

Carmen Herrera's 'Estructuras Monumentales' exhibition is currently displayed at City Hall Park in New York until 8 November 2019. This commission from the Public Art Fund showcases vibrant geometric sculptures by the 104-year-old artist. Among the pieces is Untitled Estructura (Red) (1962/2018), created during the Cuban Missile Crisis, representing Herrera's Cuban heritage and her life in the U.S. Estructura Verde (1966/2018) features interlocking green L-shaped blocks, surrounded by pink hollyhocks and mauve hydrangeas. Other works include Angulo Rojo (2017) in cherry red and Pavanne (1967/2017), a deep blue modular cube reflecting her brother's passing. The sculptures are arranged for visual harmony rather than historical context. The park has its own historical significance, including a fountain designed by Jacob Wrey Mould in 1871 and restored in 1999 under Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, which replaced the Croton Fountain. Engraved granite stones reveal the park's history, showing signs of wear from visitors. Herrera's early protest art includes 1936 paintings in Havana depicting a sorrowful Christ against a swastika backdrop, denouncing Hitler's ascent. The exhibition received an online review on 30 August 2019.