New Prospect Park sculpture ‘Monuments to Motherhood’ celebrates caregivers

A new sculpture celebrating mothers and all caregivers was unveiled in Prospect Park on April 22.

The coil-like, 15-foot-tall bronze interactive installation is part of artist Molly Gochman’s “Monuments to Motherhood” series, paying homage to caregivers whose vast contributions all too often go unnoticed.

The sculpture’s two interconnected loops symbolize relationships and support, while the open space below the loops invites the community to gather and discuss issues like motherhood and caregiving.

(L-R ) Elizabeth Masella, Morgan Monaco, and Molly Gochman celebrated the unveiling of Gochman’s sculpture “Monuments to Motherhood.” Photo by Gabriele Holtermann

Gochman told Brooklyn Paper that her series celebrates the enduring work of caregivers across generations and acknowledges the labor of parents, nurses, childcare workers, and home health aides, who are the fabric of society.

She intentionally chose the sculpture’s location, which has a view of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Arch at Grand Army Plaza -the arch is one of the many public monuments depicting war and men.

With her series, Gochman seeks to change the narrative of statues glorifying violence and men. According to City Hall, only eight of New York City’s 150 public monuments honoring historical figures are women. Instead, she wants to use public spaces to elevate the stories of caregivers and the community, which remain vastly underrepresented in civic spaces.

“I grew up with monuments to violence, and I wanted to create monuments to care,” Gochman explained. “I call it “Monuments to Motherhood” because I’m inviting us to care for ourselves, each other, and the land in a mothering way. So, I’m inviting us to have a more expansive definition of both monuments and motherhood.”

Artist Molly Gochman poses with the sculpture. Photo by Gabriele Holtermann

Gochman said the embracing loops symbolize the importance of supporting each other.

“It is two loops supporting one another, and they can’t stand alone. They require each other, but they’re only able to stand because of the land on which they’re standing,” she said. “It’s art for all of us, and when we feel like maybe there aren’t private spaces that feel safe or welcoming, this is a public space that is your park. It welcomes you every day.”

The sculpture is part of NYC Parks’ Art in the Parks program and will be on view in Prospect Park until May 2026.

Morgan Monaco, president of the Prospect Park Alliance, expressed her gratitude to Gochman for shining a light on caregivers whose work often went unnoticed.

“When you care for somebody, whether it’s your mother, whether it’s your father, whether it’s a relative, whether it’s a friend, whether it’s a child, that’s an act of love, and I think that we all need more acts of love in this particular moment right now,” Monaco said.

Atiba Edwards, president and CEO at Brooklyn Children’s Museum, told Brooklyn Paper that Prospect Park was the “backyard” for many Brooklynites and the sculpture amplified the importance of working together as humans and as Brooklynites.

Locals gathered to celebrate the unveiling on April 22. Photo by Gabriele Holtermann

NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue said the parks department was proud to enhance public spaces with world-class art installations and grateful to Gochman and the Prospect Park Alliance for “bringing a thought-provoking piece to Brooklyn’s backyard.”

“It is so fitting that Monuments to Motherhood is taking its place in Prospect Park. Just as caregivers do, our public greenspaces make communities safer and stronger, helping New Yorkers connect with one another and find inspiration in the great outdoors. In turn, we care for our public parks through stewardship, ensuring these vital living resources remain resilient and healthy for generations to come,” Donoghue said in a statement.

Prospect Park Alliance and Gochman will host a special gathering at the sculpture in honor of Mother’s Day on May 11 to engage the public in conversations about motherhood, caregiving, and how to honor the collective histories.

For more information about “Monuments to Motherhood,” visit its podcast, which explores themes like caregiving and motherhood.