Kasmin is pleased to announce an exhibition of James Nares’ newest body of work, entitled Monuments, which will be on view at 509 West 27th Street between May 23 – June 29, 2019.

New York City’s downtown sidewalks were laid almost 200 years ago by immigrant masons. These monolithic granite slabs were elaborately chiseled with improvised marks and designs to help prevent pedestrians from slipping. These carvings have withstood the erosion of time and human traffic, leaving a wonderful record of free thought and whimsical, personal markings from the hands and minds of uncelebrated workmen.

Single-stone wax rubbings were made on site, gilded in 22K gold, and hung vertically as shining “monuments” to those unknown souls whose touch still lingers on the city’s sidewalks.