Thomas J Price Unveils Monumental Bronze Sculpture at London's New V&A East Museum

London-based artist Thomas J Price has created a new monumental bronze sculpture titled 'A Place Beyond' for the Victoria and Albert Museum's upcoming V&A East branch in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The 18-foot-tall figure, which depicts a young Black individual in contemporary casual clothing holding a mobile phone, represents Price's largest sculpture to date. The work will greet visitors when the museum opens next month in east London. According to museum statements, the figure was developed through composite methods using multiple images, 3D scans, and observational data rather than portraying a specific person. Price noted the personal significance of this commission, recalling childhood visits to the V&A with his mother that influenced his critical perspective on museum collections. The artist expressed enthusiasm about contributing to the institution's expansion in east London. Price's sculptures have appeared internationally in venues from Sydney and Florence to Reno, Nevada. His previous work 'Grounded in the Stars,' a 12-foot sculpture displayed in New York's Times Square during summer 2025, generated widespread social media attention including racist commentary. Art critics observed that this public reaction indicated the work resonated with audiences resistant to such monuments. Both 'A Place Beyond' and 'Grounded in the Stars' were featured in smaller formats during Price's 2023 exhibition 'Beyond Measure' at Hauser & Wirth's Los Angeles gallery.