A towering 12-foot bronze statue of a fictional African American woman has sparked widespread reactions after its recent installation in the heart of New York City’s Times Square.

Titled Grounded in the Stars, the sculpture now stands at the intersection of Broadway and 46th Street. It was created by Thomas J Price, a London-based figurative artist, who drew inspiration from the diverse communities of New York, Los Angeles, and London.

According to Time Out, Price’s work aims to reflect collective identities and urban experiences. Times Square’s official website describes the area as a place where “individual stories and experiences intersect on a global platform.”

The artwork has also been described as a modern nod to Michelangelo’s David, offering a contemporary reflection on identity, visibility, and the human condition, according to Black Enterprise.

However, reactions to the statue have been mixed, particularly on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where some users praised the symbolic representation, while others responded with criticism and sarcasm:

@PamelaHensley22 remarked, “A huge sculpture of an African American woman has been placed in the middle of Times Square. Honestly, it looks like she’s about to call you a racist.”

@ZakkOsborne joked, “Entitled ‘Sugarfoot,’ this 12-foot tall statue in Times Square raises awareness of early-onset type-II diabetes in African-American women.”

Conservative commentator @MattWalshBlog tweeted, “They tear down statues of American heroes and replace them with statues of random obese black women… The Left has no historical heroes.”

@Sierra_rak added, “The statue of a 12-foot ‘plus size’ African American woman has been erected in the middle of Times Square. Looks kinda like Letitia James. Are they trying to scare all tourists?”

While critics question the aesthetic and cultural intent of the sculpture, supporters view it as a bold statement about representation, challenging traditional norms of public monuments.

The statue remains on display as part of Times Square’s continued commitment to showcasing public art that reflects diverse identities and contemporary social themes.