New York City Unveils a Massive 27-Foot Buddha Sculpture on the High Line

New York’s High Line will welcome a striking new landmark next year, a 27-foot-tall sandstone Buddha titled ‘The Light That Shines Through the Universe.’

Carved in Vietnam, the sculpture will replace Iván Argote’s giant pigeon statue on the High Line Plinth.

Artist Tuan Andrew Nguyen designed the sculpture as an homage to the historic Bamiyan Buddhas, the sixth-century statues destroyed in Afghanistan in 2001.

Positioned at 10th Avenue and 30th Street, the work will occupy the High Line Plinth for an 18-month run.

To make it more symbolic, Nguyen made the hands from melted brass weapons to show bravery and kindness.

The empty space between the hands and body shows a loss that cannot be fixed. This links the destroyed Bamiyan statues to the Vietnam War.

Beyond its artistic symbolism, the installation highlights the persistence of culture in the face of conflict.

By transforming remnants of war into elements of beauty and reflection, Nguyen’s Buddha reminds viewers that even after hardship, culture can endure.

Standing high above a busy Manhattan intersection, the Buddha brings a peaceful calm to the city’s rush.

Impossible to miss, this giant work arrives next spring, offering visitors a unique experience and marking a fresh chapter for the High Line’s famous public art program.