NYC Parks has unveiled “Tomb Effigy of Margaret Corbin” by artist Zaq Landsberg, the 2020 recipient of the Clare Weiss Emerging Artist Award. The artwork will be displayed on the upper plaza of David Rockefeller Linden Terrace at Fort Tryon Park through June 12, 2022.
Artist Talk and Closing Reception on Thursday, June 9th from 6-8pm.
Landsberg’s winning proposal pays tribute to Revolutionary War hero Margaret Corbin (1751–1800), considered the first woman to fight for America, and namesake of several Fort Tryon Park features. Corbin took control of her fallen husband’s cannon and fought during the Battle of Fort Washington at this site in 1776. The artwork takes the form of the tomb effigies at The Met Cloisters, figuratively and aesthetically stitching together the Revolutionary War battlefield and the ahistorical, relocated medieval French abbeys that comprise the Cloisters. In addition to paying homage to a lesser-known female historical figure, Landsberg’s sculpture contributes to the contemporary conversation around representation in monuments and public commemoration.
Clare Weiss (1966-2010) was the Public Art Curator for NYC Parks from 2005 to 2009. During her tenure she curated more than 100 outdoor public art installations throughout the city and organized complex, thought-provoking, and visually compelling thematic exhibitions for the Arsenal Gallery. Clare’s passion, humanity, energy, courage, and collaborative zeal were valued by all who knew her.
The Clare Weiss Emerging Artist Award has been previously awarded to Ruth McKerrell for “Ancient, Goatie Boy, and Goat as Wolf” in Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn in 2011; Katherine Daniels for “Ornamental Paths” in Joyce Kilmer Park, Bronx in 2012; Karlis Rekevics for “All-Too-Familiar Tangle” in Tappen Park, Staten Island in 2013; Jarrod Beck for “Uplift” in Sara D. Roosevelt Park, Manhattan in 2014; and Wendy Klemperer for “Shadow Migration” in Court Square Park, Queens in 2015. This year’s award was made possible with support from Janet and John Koehne.
Zaq Landsberg is a NYC-based artist who specializes in large scale, site-specific sculptures, and public art. He has exhibited solo shows with NYC Parks, Chashama, at CUAC, La Ene, and Pehr Space, and his work has shown in group exhibitions at Socrates Sculpture Park, Franconia Sculpture Park, CCK, MALBA, Bronx Community College, Figment Festival, and others. He was awarded a LMCC Workspace Residency in 2020, an Art in the Parks: UNIQLO Park Expressions Grant in 2018 and a NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship in Sculpture in 2017. His installation “Reclining Liberty” is currently on view in Morningside Park through April 25, 2022. For more information visit www.zaqart.com.
The award provided $10,000 for the fabrication, insurance, maintenance, installation and removal of the artwork, and restoration of the site.
Head south to Harlem and view Zaq Landsberg: Reclining Liberty in Morningside Park.
Leaving Fort Tryon Park, Zaq landsberg: Tomb Effigy of Margaret Cobain will be on view from August 2022 to September 2023 at Green-Wood Cemetery.
When I visited the park and gardens a bit after the 8 PM sunset, I saw a photographer and model, with the upper part of the sarcophagus on fire (probably due to lighter fluid). So I put out the fire and yelled at the photographer (who did not even realize it was to memorialize a woman). Some people can not just appreciate and share, but need to take and take for themselves.
Thank you so much for stepping in, confronting these people, and putting out the fire! The artist has been notified & will be checking in on his installation to make sure no damage was done.
Thanks so much for stepping in. People have a wide range of reactions to my work, but this is a first. It would be helpful to know more details about what happened and what condition the piece is in, if you’d be willing to share them. You can contact me at zaq.landsberg (at) gmail.com