NYC Department of Transportation in partnership with artist Fitgi Saint-Louis and the West Harlem Art Fund unveiled the sculpture “Aunties” on the 124th Street and Lenox Avenue median. The work presents three figures, each standing 6.5 feet high, 6 inches deep, and 16 inches wide. This sculpture is composed of hollow CNC milled layers of wood that has been fine sanded and painted. Assisting the artist Fitgi Saint-Louis is Brooklyn-based woodworker Kevin Carlin.
CNC milling is a subtractive manufacturing process that combines traditional milling with computer numerical control (CNC) technology. It involves using a rotating cutting tool to remove material from a solid block of metal, plastic, wood, or other materials to create precise parts and products.
As described by Saint-Louis “Aunties honors the women within our lives who passionately nurture and embolden our community. In Harlem these cultivators of culture, organizers and style icons, have fearlessly called us to action across generations.”
“This assembly of large scale figures reflects the monumental spirit of those uplifting our neighborhood, embedding life into our homes, schools and shops, across buzzing avenues, streets and boulevards. Created with layers of wood, the vibrantly painted material is a reminder of heritage craft traditions and our connection to land.” “Standing tall Aunties and intentionally positioned with open space between figures, I invite my neighbors to engage with the work, capturing their own aunties, family and loved ones. With gratitude we recognize their continued contributions to our collective fabric in the past, present and futur
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