Six artists tapped to create LaGuardia Airport installations

LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B will soon have six new art installations, officials announced this week.  Photo via the Port Authority

By Jacob Kaye

Half a dozen New York City-based artists have been selected to help create several permanent large-scale art installations at LaGuardia Airport’s new Terminal C, Governor Kathy Hochul announced this week.

In partnership with the Queens Museum, the Port Authority and Delta Air Lines, which operates the terminal, the art projects are part of the state’s overall mission to improve and beautify the airport, once dubbed a transit hub fitting of a “third world country,” by President Joe Biden.

The six commissioned artworks will be created by artists Mariam Ghani, Rashiid Johnson, Aliza Nisenbaum, Virginia Overton, Ronny Quevedo and Fred Wilson. The large-scale installations will include sculptures and painted ceramic murals.

The art is expected to tell the story of the city’s immigrant history and celebrate the city’s diversity, which is especially pronounced in Queens.

“By commissioning renowned New York-based artists, countless visitors will be welcomed with themes of New York's history, diversity, and beauty,” Hochul said. “As we continue to build back stronger and better than before, Terminal C will serve as a lasting symbol of New York being the epicenter of commerce and art around the globe.”

Queens Museum President Sally Tallant called the project well suited for New York, one of the most exciting “cultural destination[s] in the world.”

“It is fitting that we welcome everyone, visitors and residents alike, with a new terminal presenting art that speaks to the city's spirit and creativity,” Tallant said.

Ghani’s mosaic will be a visualization of the city’s language map. Johnson’s mosaic will feature a diverse group of people on the move. Nisenbaum’s installation will showcase the employees of the airport. Overton’s sculpture will show a number of iconic New York City landmarks dangling from the terminal’s ceiling. Quevedo’s installation will be a tribute to the various communities that make up New York City. Wilson will create his installation based on his signature use of starlight globes, which aim to represent the need for a global community.

The artwork is part of the $4 billion redevelopment of LaGuardia, which first broke ground in 2017.

A new arrival and departure hall is set to open in the spring and will include a concourse with 10 new gates and a number of shops and restaurants.

In January, Hochul made a trip to the Queens airport to unveil the latest completed portion of the project: Terminal B’s sky bridge.