Technology may be impressive, especially when it’s a website dedicated to a Hip-Hop legend.
According to OkayPlayer, LL Cool J will be honored with a new solar-powered bronze statue in his hometown of Queens, New York.
The rapper, born James Todd Smith, will have his visage preserved in the midst of David Dinkins Circle in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, in the style of his debut in the 1980s.
Sherwin Banfield, a Trinidadian-born, Queens-raised sculptor, is responsible for the Queens Public Library’s 2019 sculptures honoring iconic artists including Jam Master J, Phife Dawg, and Prodigy.
His latest work, “Going Back To The Meadows,” is a bronze monument of Hip-Hop royalty LL Cool J with a solar-powered audio function that will play music between noon and 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays are excluded from the weekly schedule.
The statue also comes with a pedestal frame that pays homage to the Hip-Hop legend’s illustrious career.
As part of the Governor’s Island Residency initiative, Banfield began sculpting “Going Back to the Meadows” in 2020.
He took to Instagram to elaborate on the process of developing the new body of work.
If you’re ever in the New York region, go to Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens to see it.
“Using traditional techniques of modeling clay and a multitude of reference photographs, I created my artistic interpretation of LL, a collaboration of facial stages emerging from an anatomical foundation,” he explained in the post. ”Using my years of lessons in [the] study of ancient Kemetic statues, Greco Roman and Italian Renaissance masters, I strived to model the essence, strength, fortitude, sensitivity, and determination of LL into this portrait bust,” Banfield wrote. “Each application and modification of clay is a thought that accumulates to the finished portrait, like the selected notes of a musician that conclude to a song.. the final product is relatable and recognizable.. not a duplication of nature’s gift, but an interpretation.”
On an Instagram post by @sherwintheartist, the caption says:
LL Portrait sculpting process animation
This bronze bust of @llcoolj was a labor of love sculpted on Governor’s Island as part of @lmcc_nyc Gov Island Residency Initiative Sept to Dec 2020. I would leave Queens in the early am hours to catch the first ferry out to the Gov Is. to maximize my time creating on the island. Using traditional techniques of modeling clay and a multitude of reference photographs, I created my artistic interpretation of LL, a collaboration of facial stages emerging from an anatomical foundation. Using my years of lessons in the study of ancient Kemetic statues, Greco Roman and Italian Renaissance masters, I strived to model the essence, strength, fortitude, sensitivity and determination of LL into this portrait bust. Each application and modification of clay is a thought that accumulates to the finished portrait, like the selected notes of a musician that conclude to a song.. the final product is relatable and recognizable.. not a duplication of nature’s gift, but an interpretation. The real gift is here and still relevant, inspiring generations of fans. From Hollis to Hollywood and beyond. The G.O.A.T.🐐
‘Going Back to The Meadows, A Tribute to LL COOL J and Performance at FMCP’
By @SherwinTheArtist
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(Bronze, Resin, Stainless Steel, Steel, Winterstone, Wood, Audio, Lighting & Solar Power System)
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On view at the David Dinkins Circle in @coronapark from Nov 2021 – Nov 2022
(just off the exit of the 7 train – Shea Stadium)
#ArtintheParks #llcoolj #hiphopculture #publicart
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A Sculptural Sonic Monument dedicated to the legacy of Queens Hip-Hop legend @llcoolj , his native Queens NY and historical performances at Flushing Meadows Corona Park. This Monument is also known as The G.O.A.T. Monument🐐.
This project is supported by the following:
LMCC @lmcc_nyc ‘Going Back to the Meadows’ was developed as part of Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s Governors Island COVID-19 Response Residency program. LMCC.net Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) serves, connects, and makes space for artists and community.
