Image by Jamel Toppin, 2025
Standing just short of 30 feet tall, and lit up like a beacon, artist Zak Ove’s The Mothership Connection merges African iconography with sci-fi mythology, resembling a futuristic African rocket ship, crowned with a super-sized Mende head piece. The work draws from Afrofuturist legacies and diasporic symbolism, a vibrant and dynamic display of cross-cultural connections and histories, a testament to New York’s reputation as a renowned destination and home for cultures across the globe.
Built from brightly coloured stainless-steel blocks, the work reimagines iconic architectural forms historically constructed through enslaved labour, transforming them into symbols of survival, dignity and cultural memory – forming a powerful visual metaphor for the African diaspora’s foundational role in shaping the modern world. The Mothership Connection highlights and pays homage to the invisible stories which built the world we know today.
Through the work, Ové challenges dominant ideals fixing Western modernity as the future, and the relegation of African cultures to the past. His artwork is an emissary of African cultural histories, presence, and futurity – a powerful act of remembrance and imagination: affirming the past whilst projecting new possibilities into the future.
As New York city celebrates its 400th anniversary, the sculpture creates a radiant testament to the multicultural history and internationalism of New York, and The Meatpacking District.
The Mothership Connection will be accompanied by community engagement programmes in the city, including a community event that will provide a space for artists, creatives, and community members to celebrate the cultural histories and possible futures imagined by Ové.
Zak Ové says, “The Mothership travels an arc between past and future, a beacon guided by ancestral hands and imagined possibilities. In this moment, when cultural memory is fragile and the future uncertain, it’s vital we make space for the stories that shaped us and still carry us forward. This work speaks to survival, invention, and the enduring spirit of the African diaspora. New York, layered, diverse and alive with possibility, is the right place to land.”
Tiffany Griffin, Director of Marketing, Partnerships & Events for The Meatpacking District says, “The Meatpacking District is honored to host Zak Ové’s The Mothership Connection for its New York debut. This vibrant work reflects the power of the African and Caribbean diasporas, and we are proud to showcase a piece that uplifts these histories while inviting all to imagine bold futures. Supporting artists and creating space for diverse communities has always been at the heart of our work. Installations like this continue our tradition of uniting art, culture, and community to celebrate the voices that make New York what it is.”
Jeffrey LeFrancois, Executive Director of The Meatpacking District says, “Public art has the power to transform streets into gathering places, and The Mothership Connection does exactly that. In Meatpacking, placemaking is about creating experiences that invite people to slow down, connect, and see the city in new ways. This installation is a striking example of how art can activate space and inspire community.”
Lisa Altshuler, Founder of NALA Projects says, “We are thrilled to bring The Mothership Connection to The Meatpacking District. This piece ignites joy, curiosity, and conversation; a glowing monument to imagination, memory and New York’s global spirit. We invite everyone to soak up its light and uncover the cultural stories it carries. We can’t wait to see New Yorkers and visitors connect with it in their own way.”
The Mothership Connection in New York’s Meatpacking District is led by NALA Projects and The Meatpacking Business Improvement District in connection with NYC DOT Art Partners, a collaboration with the New York City Department of Transportation’s Art Program, NYC DOT Art.