NEW YORK, NY.- The Garment District Alliance today unveiled “Seward Johnson in New York, Selections from the Retrospective” an exhibit highlighting three series of figurative life-size bronze sculptures that portray the “everyday” individual, iconic moments in American culture, and Impressionist paintings. The public installation – the latest in the Garment District Alliance’s ‘Summer Art on the Plazas’ series – will captivate New Yorkers and visitors alike with its sculptures’ astonishing, life-like presence on Broadway this summer.

Created by iconic artist Seward Johnson, the sculptures will occupy the Garment District pedestrian plazas on Broadway from 36th to 41st streets through September 15th. Previously exhibited across the globe, the three series of sculptures – Icons Revisited, Celebrating the Familiar and Beyond the Frame – will make their first-ever appearance together in New York City in this historic installation.

Friends and fans joined Seward Johnson and the Garment District Alliance at a special reception celebrating the unveiling, while neighborhood residents, workers and visitors took advantage of the photo-op, snapping selfies with the willing bronze figures.

“Like many of his sculptures, Seward Johnson is a giant in the art world. Having his remarkable works on display in the Garment District is not only a tremendous honor for our neighborhood, but for all of New York City,” said Barbara Blair Randall, president of the Garment District Alliance. “From the Marilyn Monroe to the classic hot dog vendor, each sculpture tells a fascinating story that will have New Yorkers and visitors alike flocking to the plazas. We are absolutely thrilled to showcase Johnson’s work and we have no doubt that Seward Johnson in New York will be the hottest public art exhibit in New York City this summer.”

Depicting iconic moments in American cultural history, the sculptures presented in Icons Revisited symbolize the public’s embrace of particular notable figures and their influence on society. Seward Johnson in New York will feature: Forever Marilyn; Return Visit; God Bless America; and Embracing Peace, the latter being the WW II sailor and nurse kissing that originated in Times Square.

Mr. Johnson highlights ordinary people engaged in everyday activities in Celebrating the Familiar, creating a special sculptural experience that fascinates viewers and invites the public to become a part of the artwork. The Seward Johnson in New York exhibition will showcase: Special Delivery; Holding Out; Relish, Too?; Frequent Flyers; Sidewalk Concert; Things to Do; Los Mariachis; and The Photo Shoot.

Beyond the Frame consists of elaborate displays that allow viewers to walk into the scenes of classic i-Impressionist paintings. Seward Johnson in New York will present: La Promenade; Eye of the Beholder; Mone, Our Visiting Artist; Whispering Close; Time for Fun; and Turn of the Century.

Following his career as a painter, Seward Johnson turned his talents to the medium of sculpture. More than 450 of his life-size cast bronze figures have been featured in private collections and museums in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia, as well as in prominent public venues including Pacific Place, Hong Kong, Les Halles in Paris, Rockefeller Center and Via Condotti in Rome. Johnson’s upcoming exhibitions include Amsterdam, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Paris, France and Capri, Italy.

"I want my people to be unheroic, and in so being, become universal,” Johnson, who is now 85, says of his work. “But I want their action that I’m celebrating, the existential gesture, to be heroic in the lowest key.”

Inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2014, Mr. Johnson’s impact on the world of sculpture goes far beyond his personal artwork; he founded The Johnson Atelier, as well as the renowned 42 acre sculpture park Grounds for Sculpture. Seward Johnson continues to create memorable works for the public realm, and consistently invents new and intriguing chapters of his oeuvre.

“Because of community partners like the Garment District Alliance, the DOT Art Program is able to present engaging artwork on the streets of New York,” said the New York City Department of Transportation’s Assistant Commissioner of Design + Art + Wayfinding Wendy Feuer. “We are especially excited to be working with Seward Johnson, whose sculptures will surprise and delight people as they walk past the work or engage with the art while sitting.”