# @publicartfund on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DOJIdXpjCrO
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/34064480-publicartfund-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/2b997051e7.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-09-03T14:01:20.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Public Art Fund (@publicartfund) — https://gondola.cc/publicartfund

## Caption

NOW ON VIEW:  Monira Al Qadiri’s "First Sun" is now on view at Doris C. Freedman Plaza in Central Park through August 2, 2026. This large-scale sculpture is Al Qadiri's first public artwork and first institutional presentation in New York City. 🪲

The majestic painted aluminum sculpture of a hybrid human-scarab figure reimagines the ancient Egyptian deity Khepri—god of the rising sun—as a contemporary monument. At a towering 17 feet tall atop its base and resplendent in purple and green hues, the sculpture reflects Al Qadiri’s interest in how humanity explores the unknown through science, religion, mythology, and art.

Al Qadiri was inspired by a painting inside the Tomb of Ramses I in Luxor, Egypt, which depicted a figure with a scarab beetle face. This stunning image led the artist to explore the blending of human and insect forms as a symbol of the complex relationship between humanity and the natural world. 

Monira Al Qadiri's work explores themes of history, petro-cultures, science fiction, and the divine. Her practice often bridges personal narrative and cultural critique, employing unexpected materials and forms to reframe global conversations on identity, industry, and the natural world. 

"Monira Al Qadiri: First Sun" is curated by Melanie Kress, Senior Curator, Public Art Fund and November Paynter, Artistic Director and Chief Curator, Lassonde Art Trail.

As a co-commissioned work, "First Sun" will travel to Toronto following its New York presentation, as part of the Lassonde Art Trail’s opening season in fall 2026. Concurrent with First Sun, Al Qadiri will debut her first solo exhibition first with Perrotin in New York City on September 4, 2025. 

"First Sun" can also be explored anytime, anywhere, on our BloombergConnects guide.

#MoniraAlQadiri
"First Sun," 2025
Cast aluminum, steel, automotive paint; patinated brass pedestal
Courtesy of the artist
Photo: Nicholas Knight, courtesy of Public Art Fund, NY.
"Monira Al Qadiri: First Sun" was co-commissioned by Public Art Fund and Lassonde Art Trail and presented at Doris C. Freedman Plaza, New York City, Sept 3, 2025 – Aug 2, 2026 and Lassonde Art Trail, Toronto, ON, Sept 10, 2026 – Sept 2027

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