Three Oversized Aluminum Horses Arrive at Entrance of Central Park

Opened at a press event yesterday, three whimsical aluminum equine sculptures by French artist Jean-Marie Appriou now grace the entrance to Central Park off 5th Avenue at the Doris C. Freedman Plaza. “The Horses,” ranging in size from 16 feet tall to 16 feet long, are inspired by the site and the history of horses here, including the gold leaf statue of William Tecumseh Sherman just across the way and the horse-drawn carriages that still ply the park and pick up at this entrance.

Photo: Nicholas Knight, Courtesy of Public Art Fund, NY

One horse is seated, facing the entrance. Another is hyperextended and bending down, forming an archway through which visitors can walk. The third is standing, but is missing everything from torso up. The aluminum is molded to look like muscle in some places, metal plates in others, and even like fabric. What is perhaps must striking is the scale — passerbys are barely half the height, if not less.

Photo: Nicholas Knight, Courtesy of Public Art Fund, NY

This plaza is the site of nearly year-round art installations by Public Art Fund, which states in a press release, “Appriou is known for his intuitive approach to sculpture and experimental use of materials, enabling unexpected details to emerge. The Horses exemplifies Appriou’s remarkably expressive style and will invite the public into an imaginative world where figuration and mythology meet.”

Photo: Nicholas Knight, Courtesy of Public Art Fund, NY

Photo: Nicholas Knight, Courtesy of Public Art Fund, NY

“Jean-Marie Appriou’s unconventional approach to sculpture is almost alchemical,” says Public Art Fund Associate Curator Daniel S. Palmer. “His craftsmanship is informed by a deep knowledge of the historical lineage of sculptors that have preceded him. At the same time, Appriou’s equine sculptures are otherworldly, evoking the silent majesty of horses with nuanced sculptural details that flicker between narrative and poetry.”

“The Horses” will be up at Doris C. Freedman Plaza until August 2020.

Next, check out 20 other public art installations not to miss in NYC this month.