The bronze sculpture “Grounded in the Stars,” which is currently on display in Times Square, New York City, has sparked a heated debate, with a focus on body shaming and Black women’s representation.

Who created the statue and why?

Thomas J Price, an accomplished British artist, produced “Grounded in the Stars”. Price’s artwork continuously challenges thought conceptions about identity and representation in public areas. His intention was to elevate an ordinary person to monumental status. This was meant to purposefully challenge the historical norm of honouring exclusively idealised or famous white male figures. He hoped to spark meaningful connections and highlight ordinary people’s importance and quiet strength. Times Square Arts, which exhibited the work, emphasised Price’s goal to “impart a sense of reverence for people’s everyday humanity.” 

The artist purposefully intended her to have “familiar qualities” that resonate with the average lady. This opposes the generally idealised or heroic characters found in massive sculpture.

The statue was unveiled on April 29, 2025. It will be on display at Broadway and 46th Street in Times Square until June 14, 2025. 

What controversy has this statue caused?

The sculpture has garnered significant criticism, notably in terms of beauty and body image.

Body Shaming

A significant percentage of the criticism, particularly online, has targeted the statue’s physical look. People on social media have described the statue as “unflattering,” “ugly,” “fat,” and “monstrous.”

One content creator of Tik Tok said: “This is so embarrassing- 12 foot, big statue of a big old black woman, out of shape, masculine outfit and masculine clothes, and her hands are on her hip with an attitude.

“Why is it empowering to you to see an oversized, big black woman that looks like she has got an attitude?”

Misrepresentation of Black Women 

While some applaud the representation, others, including some Black people, have critiqued it for promoting damaging stereotypes about black women.

They claim that Black women are depicted as ‘real’ of the time, in contrast to their white counterparts, who have more ‘presentable’ looking statues within the same area.

They also argue that the statue may be negatively reinforcing “mammy imagery” (a stereotype of an older, larger, unattractive black woman caring for white children, often during slavery times) or “strong Black woman” portrayals, and that a more diverse or traditionally beautiful representation in such a prominent space is desired. There are concerns that it fosters negative stereotypes (such as the “angry Black woman” trope) or undervalues their goals. 

Click here to learn more about the stereotypes imposed onto black girls from a young age.

The Deep Impact on Those Who See Likeness:

The public backlash, particularly the body shaming, has had an impact on those who see themselves in the statue’s image.

Some have expressed that seeing a figure that resembles their families or themselves subjected to such widespread ridicule and dehumanising criticism is deeply upsetting.

Some stated that experiencing the criticism demonstrates how simply “existing” in themselves may be critiqued confirming internalised negative messages about their looks.

For these people, the statue represents a unique and profound opportunity to have themselves affirmed and monumentalised in a space traditionally designated for others. Public ridicule of the statue’s appearance feels like a direct attack on their own bodies and existence.

Supporters claim that the statue’s ordinary body and casual dress are precisely its strength and the entire point of the monument, which is to normalise and celebrate the beauty of the everyday Black woman while defying limiting, Eurocentric beauty standards that frequently exclude them.

The overwhelming public humiliation, sparked just by the visual existence of a Black woman’s likeness, exemplifies a dystopia in which the freedom to live in one’s own skin is denied.

What makes this statue important?

“Grounded in the Stars” is vital because it initiates this difficult but necessary conversation. By putting an idealised Black woman in a setting dominated by traditional monuments, Price forces spectators to:

• Address their own biases: The emotional reactions show underlying biases regarding race, gender, and body size.
• Discuss representation: It sparks important discussions about who is seen, how they are perceived, and whose stories are remembered in public.
• Validate ordinary experiences: For many, it is a strong affirmation of the dignity and worth of ordinary lives, particularly those who have historically been ignored.

The issue, while painful for many, highlights the ongoing necessity for such art to confront deeply set societal conventions and biases about beauty, power, and identity.