A new temporary public art installation, titled About a Living Culture, by Nepali artist IMAGINE (a.k.a. Sneha Shrestha) will be unveiled on September 6, 2025, in Diversity Plaza in Jackson Heights, Queens. The six-foot-tall golden arch sculpture, made of repeating rows of “Ka,” the first letter of the Nepali alphabet, is a collaboration between the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art and the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Art Program.
The installation, which will be on view until January 4, 2026, celebrates the artist’s heritage and draws inspiration from the diverse Himalayan cultures of the Jackson Heights neighborhood. According to the artist, the sculpture is “an homage to the Himalayan diaspora’s living traditions.”
IMAGINE, who works in Boston and Kathmandu, is known for her distinctive style that merges Sanskrit scriptures with graffiti art. Her works often feature the Devanagari script, used for languages such as Nepali, Sanskrit, and Hindi. About a Living Culture marks her first public art sculpture, transforming her signature cut-out steel renderings of the letter “Ka” into a monumental, archway-shaped installation.
The archway is a nod to the vernacular architecture of Nepal, where arched thresholds guide movement and are symbolically connected to daily spiritual traditions. The sculpture is intended to invite reflection and a sense of belonging for both residents and the millions of people who pass through Diversity Plaza annually.
Diversity Plaza, located at the intersection of Roosevelt Avenue and Broadway, is a bustling social and cultural hub for the growing Tibetan and Nepali communities. It is a major transit center, serving several subway lines (E, F, M, R, and 7), and was pedestrianized in 2012.
NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez expressed his appreciation for the project, stating that the sculpture will “foster a sense of pride and belonging for the Tibetan and Nepali communities of Jackson Heights.” Council Member Shekar Krishnan of District 25 echoed this sentiment, praising the installation for reflecting “the beauty of our immigrant neighbors” and making art accessible in the community.
This is IMAGINE’s second collaboration with the Rubin Museum, following her work in the museum’s 2024 group show Reimagine: Himalayan Art Now. Michelle Bennett Simorella, Director of Global Projects and Collections at the Rubin Museum, highlighted that the partnership with NYC DOT Art aligns with the museum’s new model as a decentralized, global institution committed to supporting living artists and making Himalayan art accessible in innovative ways.
The Rubin Museum’s new model includes various initiatives such as traveling exhibitions, expanded resources for artists and scholars, and long-term loans and collaborations with other institutions, including the Rubin Museum Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room at the Brooklyn Museum.
IMAGINE, a graduate of Harvard University and an educator, is a recipient of the 2025 James and Audrey Foster Prize, with her work set to be featured at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston. The Harvard Art Museums also recently acquired one of her sculptures, Dwarpalika, which will be on long-term display.
The About a Living Culture installation is a NYC DOT Art Community Commission, a program that partners with community organizations to bring temporary public art to city infrastructure. The project is supported by public funds from the New York City Department of Transportation and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
