Edra Soto’s Public Installation “Graft” at Doris C. Freedman Plaza: A Monument to Puerto Rican Communities and Cultural Memory (On View Until August 24, 2025)

Edra Soto’s compelling installation Graft is on display at Doris C. Freedman Plaza in Central Park, New York City, until August 24, 2025. Presented by the Public Art Fund, this site-specific work honors the working-class Puerto Rican communities and engages deeply with themes of migration, identity, shared history, and cultural memory.

About the Installation

Graft is part of Edra Soto’s ongoing artistic series inspired by rejas—ornate wrought iron screens commonly seen in working-class Puerto Rican neighborhoods. These rejas feature repeating geometric motifs with origins traced to West Africa’s Yoruba symbol systems, juxtaposing the Spanish architectural influences often highlighted in tourist portrayals of Puerto Rico. Through Graft, Soto investigates the layered cultural memory of Puerto Ricans, especially emphasizing the often-overlooked Black heritage of the island.

The installation is constructed from durable corten steel and terrazzo, materials that evoke the earthy, brick-red hues reminiscent of a Puerto Rican sunset, anchoring the piece in both place and community. Functionally, Graft acts as furniture and infrastructure—tables and seating invite visitors to rest, connect, and reflect. The sculpture creates a dual threshold: one side representing the exterior of a home, the other evoking the intimacy of an interior space.

Artistic and Social Significance

For Soto, who migrated to Chicago but remains deeply connected to Puerto Rico, Graft expresses complex feelings of dislocation, colonial ambiguity (as Puerto Rico is an unincorporated U.S. territory), and communal belonging. The work fosters connections between Puerto Rican communities across New York City while highlighting the Caribbean’s central role in the history of NYC and the United States.

The placement at Doris C. Freedman Plaza, a bustling gateway to Central Park located at 60th Street and Fifth Avenue, positions the installation at the intersection of diverse urban life. This spot is historically significant for its proximity to immigrant and working-class neighborhoods, making Graft both a cultural monument and a functional part of the city’s social fabric.

Visual Experience

Walking through Graft, visitors encounter an architectural intervention that blends sculptural form with practical use, inviting pause amidst the city’s bustle. The warm tones of corten steel contrast with the polished terrazzo surfaces, enhanced by sunlight and shadows shifting throughout the day. This immersive spatial experience encourages contemplation of heritage, migration, and urban life.

Images and More

For a visual sense of Graft and its urban context, visit the Public Art Fund’s exhibition page on Edra Soto: Graft or explore snapshots on Edra Soto’s official site. Images can also be found on social media posts and contemporary art features that document the installation in Central Park.

Example photo source: Public Art Fund – Doris C. Freedman Plaza, Central Park
Edra Soto’s “Graft” installation invites rest, reflection, and cultural dialogue.

Exhibition Details

• Location: Doris C. Freedman Plaza, Central Park (60th Street and Fifth Avenue), New York City

• On View: September 5, 2024 – August 24, 2025

• Presented by: Public Art Fund

• Materials: Corten steel, terrazzo

• Artist: Edra Soto (b. 1971, Puerto Rico)

FAQs About Edra Soto’s “Graft”

Q: What inspired Edra Soto to create Graft?
A: Graft draws on architectural motifs from Puerto Rican working-class neighborhoods, especially the rejas iron screens, exploring themes of cultural memory, migration, and community identity.

Q: How does the installation function for visitors?
A: It serves as both artwork and functional urban furniture—tables and seating are integrated into the sculpture to encourage rest, social interaction, and reflection.

Q: Where exactly is Graft located?
A: At Doris C. Freedman Plaza, the southeast corner of Central Park, near 60th Street and Fifth Avenue in New York City.

Q: What materials are used in Graft?
A: The work is made of corten steel and terrazzo, chosen for durability and their evocative connection to Puerto Rican aesthetics.

Q: How does Graft engage with the public?
A: By creating a communal space within a busy urban environment, it activates social interaction while celebrating Puerto Rican heritage and addressing complex histories related to migration and coloniality.

Q: Until when will the installation be on view?
A: Graft will remain installed until August 24, 2025.

For more information, images, and visiting details, please see: Public Art Fund – Edra Soto: Graft and Edra Soto’s official site Edra Soto Projects.