A Sculpture That Speaks of Home and Journey
A massive soccer‑ball sculpture, painted in vivid hues and anchored in front of El Museo del Barrio in East Harlem, has become the newest focal point of a citywide public art project.
The work belongs to 'Art of the Game', a collaborative installation that assembles 23 soccer‑ball sculptures by a diverse group of artists, each piece probing themes of home, migration and community.
Jointly organized by ARTS 14C and the FIFA World Cup 2026 New York/New Jersey Host Committee, the exhibition will remain on view until Labor Day, after which twelve sculptures are slated to become permanent installations in New York and New Jersey.
The remaining works will be auctioned by Christie's, with the proceeds directed to ARTS 14C, Studio in a School and the artists themselves, turning the display into a fundraiser for cultural education.
Ronny Quevedo, whose father was a professional soccer player in Ecuador, has long used the sport as a lens for examining cultural identity, and his contribution reflects that personal connection.
Beyond the Harlem site, the installations appear at iconic locations such as Grand Central Terminal, Columbus Circle and Rockefeller Center, weaving the global language of soccer into the urban fabric.
Legacy and Community Impact
The project not only highlights the intersection of sport and visual art but also underscores the role of public art in fostering dialogue about migration and belonging, a narrative that resonates with visitors from diverse backgrounds.