An artist in New York City who has addressed similar social justice themes is Kara Walker. Her massive installation A Subtlety (also called the “Sugar Baby”), which was shown at the Domino Sugar Factory in Brooklyn, directly confronted the history of slavery, exploitation, and the sugar trade. Walker used the industrial space and the decaying factory walls to force viewers to face the racial and economic violence that shaped those industries. Like Kaphar, she didn’t erase history, she exposed the parts people usually avoid looking at, especially the uncomfortable truths about race and power in America. Her work sparked huge conversations in NYC and made people think about whose stories get remembered and whose get ignored, which ties perfectly into the themes Kaphar raises in his talk. 

An everyday object that connects me to my background and family is the small silver necklace with my name written in Hebrew that my grandma gave me for my bat mitzvah. It’s one of the most meaningful things I own because it represents my Jewish roots, and the traditions that have shaped who I am. When I wear it, I feel connected not just to her, but to my heritage, the language, faith, and strength that have carried my family through generations. The fact that it was a gift from my grandma makes it even more meaningful, since her family fled from Romania to Israel due to persecution when she was little, and especially since it was given at such a coming-of-age celebration. Everyday objects can reveal so much about people’s lives, and for me, this necklace tells a story of identity, resilience, and love that runs deeply through my family’s history. – Ori Cohen

Times Square is one of the most famous icons of New Yprl because it capture’s the city’s every, culture and constant motion. Historically, it was named after the New York Times in 1904, when the newspaper moved its headquarters there. Over time, it grew into the heart of the city’s entertainment scene, filled with theaters, flashing billboards and crowds. It’s where people go to celebrate New Year’s Eve, a tradition that’s broadcast all over the world, making it a symbol not just of New York, but of excitement and possibility. Culturally, Times Square represents the “city that never sleeps”. The neon lights, Broadway shows, and street performers show off the creativity and hustle that define NYC. It’s crowded and chaotic, but that’s part of what makes it so iconic. It embodies the energy that people imagine whrn they think of New York. I chose Times Square because it feels like the perfect representation of New York’s personality. When you’re standing there, surrounded by lights ans people from all over the world, you feel the city’s mix of ambition, culture, and diversity all in one place. It’s not just a location, its’s an experience.  

Jacques Agbobly’s Ensembles: Jacques Agbobly created this look to celebrate his family and cultural roots. The design nods to his childhood memories—like the hairbraiding salons he visited and the earrings his grandmother and aunts wore to church. At the same time, it honors heritage by echoing the colors of bags West African migrants used to carry their belongings.

Lugo Portrait Cup Henrietta Lacks: The Lugo Portrait Cup of Henrietta Lacks is a ceramic piece by artist Roberto Lugo, who often combines traditional pottery with portraits of important Black figures. This cup honors Henrietta Lacks, a Black woman whose cells were taken without her consent in 1951 and went on to become vital in medical research. I chose this object because it blends art, history, and justice—it turns an everyday object into a powerful tribute, reminding us of both exploitation and resilience.