Alexander Klingspor, one of Sweden's most internationally renowned contemporary artists, has lent a monumental work of art to the city of New York. The bronze sculpture, depicting a life-size alligator curled around a manhole cover, revives the myth of alligators in New York's sewer system.
His monumental sculpture, titled New York City Legend, was unveiled on October 17, 2023 on East 14th Street at Union Square's Triangle Park. On site were, among others, Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden, Consul General Camilla Mellander and Joseph Douek, City Planning Commissioner.
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The sculpture is a tribute to the city and its inhabitants, as well as a portrayal of the urban legend of alligators in New York City. The artist says he was inspired by the mythology of alligators and how resilient they are. Alligators, like New Yorkers, are built to survive extreme situations. In this century alone, the city's residents have lived through terrorist attacks, financial crashes and a pandemic. On the lid are objects that can be seen as representations of the times we live in: coins, cans, disposable items, Covid-19 tests and more.
Since the pandemic, Klingspor has chosen to explore and develop sculpture in his artistry. During his time in New York, he studied structural anatomy with sculptor Chris Raccioppi and Frank Porcu at the Art Students League.
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It was at the age of 16 that Alexander Klingspor (b. 1977) decided to dedicate himself to art. He developed an early eye for realistic painting with roots in the works of the Old Masters from the Renaissance, the Baroque and the art trends of the late 19th century. A couple of years later, Alexander went to the United States to study realistic painting and illustration art with Mark English in Kansas City, Missouri. He continued his studies with the copyist Magnus Bratt. Eventually he established himself in New York with his own studio in Manhattan. Since then, Alexander Klingspor's work has been exhibited in several prominent museums and galleries in Sweden, Europe and the United States.
"I have been very humbled by the task of creating a work for the city's impressive collection of iconic public sculptures. I hope that the city's residents and visitors will have the opportunity to visit the installation," says Alexander Klingspor in a press release from Mollbrinks Gallery.
New York City Legend is on display in Union Square's Triangle Park until the end of June 2024. You can read more about the sculpture here.
