Battery Park City Authority, the Art for Justice Fund, and the Ford Foundation have unveiled a trio of public mosaics at Esplanade Plaza in Battery Park City. Titled “Justice Reflected,” the mosaics are located on a 90-foot granite wall at the southern end of the North Cove Marina and were created by artist James Yaya Hough.
Hough was incarcerated for 27 years and now focuses his craft on raising awareness for people directly impacted by the justice system and inspiring hope for those reentering society.
“Justice Reflected builds on Battery Park City’s legacy as an international destination for meaningful world-class public art,” said B.J. Jones, president and CEO of Battery Park City Authority. “We are proud to display Hough’s inspiring work, and look forward to welcoming New Yorkers and visitors to view this poignant piece.”
Justice Reflected, Panel One, at Battery Park City
Justice Reflected, Panel Three, at Battery Park City
Justice Reflected, Panel Two, at Battery Park City
The three window-like panels of Justice Reflected are arranged on five-foot circular medallions in the style of stained-glass windows, each presenting symbols related to the carceral system. While the imagery is somber, Hough has used bright, reflective colors to create a sense of optimism for the future.
“I envisioned and created a visual journey—one forged by my experiences and observations,” said James Yaya Hough. “I designed Justice Reflected for the wall in Battery Park City so that others can take this journey as well.”
The mosaics will be on display for one year. Battery Park City authority will also host community events with Hough and conduct educational outreach to expand the overall impact of the installation.
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Ugly, ugly, ugly. At least they’re only temporary. And isn’t there another memorial just around the corner to honor police officers who fell in the line of duty? Of course BPC is more interested in honoring criminals than cops these days.
Is that true that BPC is honoring criminals?
I think they are beautiful and tastefully done, but agree that it may not be the best place to display them given the memorial to NYPD officers who died in the line of duty are so closeby.
Being a cop, and being a criminal, are not mutually exclusive.
These mosaics look great. I always forget how cool mosaics can be, especially when incorporated into the public spaces of new construction.
I guess there’s some kind of law that all “public art” has to be terrible. They could have found a random high school kid to do a better job.