Philly: Paving the Way in Public Art

It’s no secret that at Pieces with Purpose we believe in the importance of public art. However, it’s difficult to find a city that shares that belief more than Philadelphia. In this post, we’ll examine a few key pieces of Philadelphia's extensive public art collection, from murals and sculptures to LED light installations!

DNA Tree of Life by Maya Lin

Installed in 2021, this eye-catching sculpture welcomes visitors through the atrium of the Hospital of The University of Pennsylvania. In creating the project, Lin aimed to bring the natural world in from the outside and out from the inside. The shape takes inspiration from DNA strands and branches of trees, but also a map of the Schuylkill River, a Philadelphia landmark. Lin’s design connects medicine, her passion for the natural world, and important public areas of Philadelphia, all combining to create a piece of public art that speaks to the life of the city it is in, while also bringing light and relevance to the hospital.

Freedom by Zenos Frudakis

Listed in the world’s top 10 works of public art by The Independent, this striking sculpture speaks to the city of Philadelphia’s long history of association with freedom. Pennsylvania was the first US state to abolish slavery (in 1780), and was a central hub for abolitionists. An inscription on the vacated space encourages viewers to interact with the piece, with an etching that reads “stand here.”

A Love Letter for You by Steve Powers

This 50 piece series of murals line the route of the Market/Frankford elevated train from 45th to 63rd street in West Philadelphia. Steve Powers is a West Philadelphia native and established graffiti writer, studio artist, illustrator, and Fulbright scholar. He described the project as “a letter for one, with meaning for all.” 

The Electric Street and Electric Philadelphia, by David Guinn and Drew Billiau

Two mural light installations created by David Guinn and Drew Billiau line the streets of Philadelphia, bringing light and energy to passersby. The Electric Street is a permanent LED mural installation that illuminates a small, otherwise inconspicuous alleyway in South Philly. Neon-like LED lights also illuminate the I-676 underpass on North Sixth Street, connecting Old City with neighborhoods to the North, in Electric Philadelphia. When the lights are off, one can see the base of the walls, a reminder of Philadelphia’s past, for an overall feel of the city’s evolution throughout modern history.

The Stamp of Incarceration by Shepard Fairey

This mural in Philadelphia’s Callowhill Street features James Anderson, formerly incarcerated co-founder of The Anti-Recidivism Coalition. Anderson grew up in California and experienced poverty and physical abuse in a community rife with gang violence and drug use. He was convicted for assault with a deadly weapon when he was just 17. Since his release, he has gone on to become one of the country’s leading advocates and  luminaries in criminal justice reform. The artist, Shepard Fairey, is most well known for his Barack Obama “Hope” poster.

Monument to Six Million Jewish Martyrs by Nathan Rapoport

Located at the top of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway since 1964, Monument to Six Million Jewish Martyrs by Jewish sculptor and painter Nathan Rapoport was a gift from the Association of Jewish New Americans to the City of Philadelphia. In 2018, the piece was relocated to the Horowitz-Wasserman Holocaust Memorial Plaza, designed to honor the memory of the millions of Jewish people who were killed during the Holocaust and educate the public about the atrocities. 

Weaver’s Knot: Sheet Bend by Ball-Nogues Studio

This fantastical sculpture on the Delaware River Trail is a nod to the history of textile production and sailing on the Delaware River. “Weaver’s Knot” and “Sheet Bend” are traditional names for a knot used to bind different thicknesses of rope. The knots are meant to honor and remind viewers of the history of textile production and sailing on the Delaware River, but the studio's metaphorical intention was to remind the citizens of Philadelphia to weave the fabric of community. “person to person, one knot at a time.” 

Through an array of mediums, including murals, sculptures, and LED walkways, Philadelphia does not shy away from displaying its appreciation and love for public art. Philadelphia is a great example of a city that prioritizes and invests in public art, working to build a sense of community and an educational space. Their collection is broad, diverse and dynamic, and serves as a reminder that public art can not only highlight a city's present, but also bring awareness to its past and inspire its future.