NEW YORK, NY.- The Garment District Alliance unveiled Fancy Animal Carnival, 11 large-scale fantastical sculptures created by renowned, highly respected contemporary Taiwanese artist, Hung Yi. The public art installation will captivate New Yorkers and visitors alike with its vibrant, astonishing presence on Broadway in the Garment District.

The sculptures – which were brought to New York City by Emmanuel Fremin Gallery (New York) and InSian Gallery (Taiwan) – occupy the Garment District pedestrian plazas on Broadway from 36th to 41st Streets. The installation is free and will be open to the public through April.

Each of the 11 animal sculptures represents a narrative, expressed through traditional Taiwanese symbols and motifs believed to bring luck. The painted patterns reflect on folk culture and religion, as well as the artist’s personal experiences and observations of people’s everyday lives.

The Fancy Animal Carnival – regarded as one of Hung Yi’s most important exhibitions – is sponsored by Orangenius, InSian Gallery and the Garment District Alliance, and is the latest in the Garment District Art on the Plazas series, which showcases world-class public art installations in the heart of midtown Manhattan. Garment District Art on the Plazas is made possible through Arterventions, part of the New York City Department of Transportation’s (NYC DOT) Art Program. The Garment District Alliance and NYC DOT work closely to coordinate the exhibit and install the pieces, which enhance the public plazas and make them even more welcoming to New Yorkers and visitors alike.

Emmanuel Fremin, Yi’s New York-based gallery representation, says of Yi’s first New York exhibition, “We want the American public to get acquainted with an artist who is so well-known and recognized in Asia. The Garment District’s history with fashion in New York, and his pieces being so lively, colorful and handmade, makes them the perfect works to launch on the heels of Fashion Week.”

Friends, fans, neighborhood residents, workers and visitors joined Hung Yi, the Garment District Alliance, and Orangenius at a special reception celebrating the unveiling.

“Fancy Animal Carnival is a spectacular installation that amazes New Yorkers and visitors alike with its impeccable structure and vibrant coloring,” said Barbara Blair, president of the Garment District Alliance. “Hung Yi is a tremendously talented artist, whose creativity embodies the spirit and character of the Garment District. We are thrilled to showcase this exhibit on the Broadway pedestrian plazas, and I am confident it will be New York City’s hottest public art installation this fall.”

Ou Hsien Cheng, Founder of Taipei's InSian Gallery, said of Yi, “He individually forges steel plates, and adds to their surface a rich palette of painted symbols and forms from Taiwanese folk art and daily life. In this way, Hung Yi transfers the two-dimensional language of painting into three-dimensional sculpture, all with the distinctive quality of Taiwanese culture and his unique style.”

Hung Yi was born in Taichung, Taiwan in 1970. Formerly an owner of nine restaurants, he later decided to pursue art full time in 2002. His works are inspired by Taiwanese culture and daily life in Taiwan and are often brightly colored, in traditional Taiwanese patterns, with themes of exaggerated humans or animals. Since 2009, Hung Yi and InSian Gallery have exhibited in more than 15 cities and 20 public art installation exhibitions, including San Francisco, Tokyo, Beijing, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Hung Yi’s works are also displayed in various locations, including prestigious museums, city halls, airports, theater halls, schools, universities, and shopping malls. His largest museum collection is Fortunate Dragon by San Francisco Asian Art museum.

“With artist Hung Yi’s sculptures, the Garment District Alliance continues its tradition of seeking and installing engaging art in its public spaces,” said the New York City Department of Transportation’s Assistant Commissioner of Urban Design + Art + Wayfinding, Wendy Feuer. “With over 250 temporary projects installed over the last nine years, DOT Art relies on partnerships with organizations like the Alliance to bring high-quality art to the streets of New York.”