The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs has announced a shortlist of six finalists for a public monument honoring jazz singer Billie Holiday, to be installed outside the Jamaica Performing Arts Center in Queens. Among the top contenders are British sculptor Thomas J. Price and Bahamian conceptual artist Tavares Strachan, whose proposals include abstract bronze forms and a mirrored column, respectively. Other finalists are La Vaughn Belle, Nikesha Breeze, Nekisha Durrett, and Tanda Francis, all of whom consulted with Holiday scholars and family members to develop their designs.
This monument matters because it marks a significant public art project in Queens, where Holiday lived and performed, aiming to create a lasting cultural landmark that connects residents and visitors to the borough's rich history and creativity. The selection process, which began with an open call in 2025, reflects a broader trend of reexamining historical figures through contemporary artistic perspectives, moving beyond traditional representational monuments to more conceptual and intimate interpretations of Holiday's legacy.