Queens Botanical Garden hosts BIPOC art installations

Works by a group of BIPOC artists have been spread across the grounds of the Queens Botanical Garden. Photo courtesy of AnkhLave

By Rachel Vick

A new exhibit at the Queens Botanical Garden with site-specific art installations from a group of Black, Indigenous and people of color is open to visitors.

The 3rd Annual AnkhLave Garden Project is on display now until Sept. 12, highlighting the work of the latest fellowship cohort.

“It’s important for BIPOC people in the U.S. to know that they are included and have a stake in the contemporary art conversation,” said Curator Dario Mohr. “Many are weary of art establishment due to the historical lack of representation, and we are happy to present work by BIPOC artists in the predominantly BIPOC neighborhood that the Queens Botanical Garden resides in.”

“By bringing public art to the people, we hope for more community investment into not only our AnkhLave artists, but the art landscape as a whole,” he added.

The diverse group of artists hail from all over the world.

Argentinian artist Graciela Cassel’s “Kaleidoscope” and “Llegó La Luz” from Queens College MFA student Christy Bencosme, a Jamaica resident of Dominican descent, are on view in the Forest Explorers Triangle.

"Fruits of the Spirit" by Moses Ros of the Dominican Republic is located in Oak Allée and "Mast/ Heads" from Renluka Maharaj of Trinidad is in Crabapple Grove.

Dennis Redmoon Darkeem, who is of African and Indigenous American descent, created "Keepers of the Four Winds," which drew on symbols found in indigenous mounds in Native communities along the East Coast and Central America and the "Land Acknowledgement Flag."

The installations can be seen in the Meadow and Green Trailers, respectively.

A detailed map and more information about the artists is available on the QBG website.