! Alert

Please be advised: Slide Hill is temporarily closed for planned maintenance. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Please be advised: Slide Hill is temporarily closed for planned maintenance. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Nina Chanel Abney, TOK

Lenka Clayton and Phillip Andrew Lewis, A Sudden Gust of Wind

Hank Willis Thomas, Saverio and Daisy (Navel)

Hank Willis Thomas, Ernest and Ruth (Exuberant Pink)

Arlene Shechet, Skirt Seats

Arlene Shechet, Pleat Seats, photo by David Schulze

Nina Chanel Abney, TOK

Lenka Clayton and Phillip Andrew Lewis, A Sudden Gust of Wind

Hank Willis Thomas, Saverio and Daisy (Navel)

Hank Willis Thomas, Ernest and Ruth (Exuberant Pink)

Arlene Shechet, Skirt Seats

Arlene Shechet, Pleat Seats, photo by David Schulze

Nina Chanel Abney, TOK

Lenka Clayton and Phillip Andrew Lewis, A Sudden Gust of Wind

Hank Willis Thomas, Saverio and Daisy (Navel)

Hank Willis Thomas, Ernest and Ruth (Exuberant Pink)

Arlene Shechet, Skirt Seats

Arlene Shechet, Pleat Seats, photo by David Schulze

Rest/Play

Group Show
May 16—Nov 2, 2025
Open at all times
See the schedule for island hours.
Fea­tur­ing works by Nina Chanel Abney, Lenka Clay­ton & Phillip Andrew Lewis, Arlene Shechet, and Hank Willis Thomas

Rest/​Play invites vis­i­tors to expe­ri­ence Gov­er­nors Island like nev­er before — bal­anc­ing moments of relax­ation with bursts of cre­ativ­i­ty and joy. The exhi­bi­tion, spread across the Island’s 120 acres of open space, is a cel­e­bra­tion of how we spend our time in this unique space, whether it’s unwind­ing or immers­ing our­selves in dynam­ic art. 

Rest trans­forms the Island with artist-designed seat­ing that merges cre­ativ­i­ty with func­tion. These inno­v­a­tive works not only pro­vide a place to sit and refresh, but also offer a chance to pause, reflect, and recon­nect with the sur­round­ing nature. 

Play brings ener­gy and col­or to the Island, with bold, inter­ac­tive art­works that spark joy and inspire deep reflec­tion. The vibrant use of form and hue cre­ates a sen­so­ry expe­ri­ence that refresh­es both body and mind. 

Rest/​Play is curat­ed by Lau­ren Haynes, Head Cura­tor of Gov­er­nors Island Arts and Vice Pres­i­dent at the Trust for Gov­er­nors Island.

Nina Chanel Abney
TOK, 2024
Paint­ed alu­minum
Edi­tion 1 of 3, with 1AP
Cour­tesy the artist and MSC Art
Where to find it: The Oval

Lenka Clay­ton and Phillip Andrew Lewis
A Sud­den Gust of Wind, 2025
101 pow­der-coat­ed alu­minum kites with fab­ric tails
Pre­sent­ed by Gov­er­nors Island Arts
Where to find them: Nolan Park & Pic­nic Point

Hank Willis Thomas
Save­rio and Daisy (Navel), 2018
Rolled steel and enam­el paint
Edi­tion 4 of 5, with 1AP
Cour­tesy the artist and Jack Shain­man Gallery, New York
Where to find it: Grassy Hill

Ernest and Ruth (Exu­ber­ant Pink), 2018
Rolled steel and enam­el paint
Edi­tion 3 of 5, with 1AP
Cour­tesy the artist and Jack Shain­man Gallery, New York
Were to find it: Yan­kee Pier

Arlene Shechet
Skirt Seats, 2018
Pig­ment­ed resin
Cour­tesy the artist and Pace Gallery
Where to find them: Nolan Park

Pleat Seat (L), 2024
Wood, sand-cast bronze, and concrete 

Pleat Seat (medi­um rec­tan­gle), 2024
Sand-cast bronze and concrete 

Pleat Seat (small square), 2024
Sand-cast bronze and concrete 

Pleat Seat (medi­um rec­tan­gle), 2024
and-cast bronze and con­crete
All cour­tesy the artist and Pace Gallery
Where to find them: Sois­sons Land­ing Wel­come Center

May 16—Nov 2, 2025
Open at all times
See the schedule for island hours.
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