Public Art Fund Talks: Edra Soto with Carla Acevedo-Yates and Marcela Guerrero

Join artist Edra Soto and curators Carla Acevedo-Yates (Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago), Marcela Guerrero (Whitney Museum of American Art), and Melanie Kress (Public Art Fund) for a conversation celebrating Soto’s first large-scale public art exhibition, *Graft*, in New York City. The discussion will explore the exhibition’s central themes of architecture and belonging, drawing connections between Soto’s work and the rejas—decorative wrought iron gates—found in post-war Puerto Rican architecture. The conversation will reflect on how Soto’s sculptures and installations have been interpreted in both private museums and public spaces, emphasizing her exploration of the built environment. Additionally, the curators and artist will discuss *Graft*'s engagement with cultural memory, Afro-Caribbean heritage, and the emotional complexities of migration, such as feelings of connection and dislocation. This talk provides a valuable opportunity to consider how public art can foster dialogue and create spaces for community engagement within the dynamic urban landscape of New York City. Email Gabriela López Dena (glopez@publicartfund.org) with questions and requests for accessibility by 2/14.