Bronx Sculpture By Controversial Artist Draws Resident Ire

"A permanent public sculpture at the corner of Grand Concourse and Morris Avenue has quickly turned into one of the Bronx's more heated sidewalk debates. Installed last November, the piece has split the neighborhood: some residents see a tribute to the borough's resilience, others see an eyesore and are already worried about visible wear. The argument only sharpened this week after national coverage once again spotlighted both the work and its creator's controversial past."

"Phoenix Ladder: Monument to the People of the Bronx is a site-specific work made of terracotta, brick and steel that its creator says honors generations who rebuilt the borough. The sculpture was unveiled on November 8, 2025, at the corner of Grand Concourse and Morris Avenue, according to Hyperallergic. Rodriguez's gallery materials also describe the work as a gathering space rooted in local histories and activism, per P·P·O·W."

"The monument was commissioned through the city's Percent for Art program, which sets aside 1 percent of eligible capital budgets for public artwork, according to the Mayor's Office. The New York Post reported that the Department of Cultural Affairs approved a $407,000 budget for the project and that Rodriguez received an $81,400 artist fee, figures that have helped fuel the local backlash. Percent for Art commissions are typically selected by panels that include agency staff, arts professionals and community representatives."

Phoenix Ladder: Monument to the People of the Bronx is a site-specific work made of terracotta, brick and steel that its creator says honors generations who rebuilt the borough. The piece was unveiled on November 8, 2025, at the corner of Grand Concourse and Morris Avenue and is described as a gathering space rooted in local histories and activism. The project was commissioned through the city's Percent for Art program with a $407,000 budget and an $81,400 artist fee. Some neighbors call the work an eyesore and prefer funds for neighborhood needs. Small cracks at the foundation raised questions about inspection and maintenance, and renewed national coverage has highlighted the creator's controversial past.

Read at Hoodline