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Biggie Statue Unveiled in Brooklyn

Published Thu, December 8, 2022 at 2:45 PM EST

A new statue of The Notorious B.I.G. has been unveiled in Brooklyn. And the nine-foot stainless steel artwork has a really cool additional feature — it comes with solar-powered speakers.

Head over to the statue, called Sky’s the Limit in the County of Kings, to hear a specially curated mix by DJ Mister Cee, who is credited with helping to launch Biggie's career.

“I’m a traditionally trained figurative sculptor and wanted to take something classic then remix or sample it with something new and fresh," artist Sherwin Banfield told Artnet News.

Sherwin Banfield on Instagram: "THIS GOES OUT TO YOU BROOKLYN! A sustainable sonic statue dedicated to the King of New York, Brooklyn Hip-Hop legend The Notorious B.I.G. @thenotoriousbig Sky’s the Limit in the county of Kings, A Tribute to The Notorious B.I.G., 2022 By @sherwintheartist Bronze, Resin, Stainless Steel, Winterstone, Wood, Audio, Lighting & Solar Power System Nov 2022 – Nov 2023 Currently on view at Clumber Corner in downtown Brooklyn. First pedestrian exit off the Brooklyn Bridge then make a right. You cant miss it because it plays a special DJ audio mix of Biggie’s hits from the built in audio powered by a solar power system. #ArtintheParks “Sky’s the Limit in the County of Kings” is made possible by a grant from the Downtown Brooklyn + Dumbo Art Fund, a partnership with Downtown Brooklyn Partnership and Dumbo Improvement District as part of New York State’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative.” @downtownbrooklyn @dumbo_brooklyn Special Notorious Audio Mix provided by @djmistercee Audio Speakers courtesy of @leonspeakers Fabrication made possible by @art74leehaksul BIG solar design by @customconceptsdesign Solar power system designed by @solarpowerforartists Bronzed in Brooklyn by @bedimakky #preservehiphopculture #hiphop50 #hiphophistorymonth #sherwintheartist"

Sherwin Banfield shared a post on Instagram: "THIS GOES OUT TO YOU BROOKLYN! A sustainable sonic statue dedicated to the King of New York, Brooklyn Hip-Hop legend The Notorious B.I.G. @thenotoriousbig Sky’s the Limit in the county of Kings, A Tribute to The Notorious B.I.G., 2022 By @sherwintheartist Bronze, Resin, Stainless Steel, Winterstone, Wood, Audio, Lighting & Solar Power System Nov 2022 – Nov 2023 Currently on view at Clumber Corner in downtown Brooklyn. First pedestrian exit off the Brooklyn Bridge then make a right. You cant miss it because it plays a special DJ audio mix of Biggie’s hits from the built in audio powered by a solar power system. #ArtintheParks “Sky’s the Limit in the County of Kings” is made possible by a grant from the Downtown Brooklyn + Dumbo Art Fund, a partnership with Downtown Brooklyn Partnership and Dumbo Improvement District as part of New York State’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative.” @downtownbrooklyn @dumbo_brooklyn Special Notorious Audio Mix provided by @djmistercee Audio Speakers courtesy of @leonspeakers Fabrication made possible by @art74leehaksul BIG solar design by @customconceptsdesign Solar power system designed by @solarpowerforartists Bronzed in Brooklyn by @bedimakky #preservehiphopculture #hiphop50 #hiphophistorymonth #sherwintheartist". Follow their account to see 385 posts.

The creative statue features several references to Biggie, including his first album, 1994's Ready to Die, enmeshed in the piece using resin.

Sherwin says he was inspired by the location. “The location had a profound impact on the work,” Banfield said. “It’s on a hill, and I wanted viewers to ascend towards a regal monument and be welcomed with open arms and two essential human qualities: the voice through a microphone and love via a heart.”

The statue is funded by the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership and the Dumbo Improvement District and will be on view until Spring 2023.