A new statue in Midtown has been generating a lot of discussion, praise and vitriol.

In the less than two weeks since artist Thomas J. Price’s 12-foot tall bronze “Grounded in the Stars” sculpture – which depicts a young Black woman dressed in everyday clothes and standing with her hands on her hips – has been installed in Times Square, it has inspired a great deal of in-person intrigue and an online discourse of both love and hate.

“What makes presenting public art in Times Square so incredible and so powerful is that you know that you are going to get the widest range of reactions and perspectives,” said Jean Cooney, director of Times Square Arts, the group behind the work.

“You cannot call yourselves the crossroads of the world without being prepared to host a crossroads of opinions,” said Cooney.