Landmarks Commission issues favorable advisory report for Vincent (Vinny) Bagwell’s ‘Victory’ to replace J. Marion Sims plinth in Central Park

The Landmarks Preservation Commission on May 6 issued a favorable advisory report for Victory, a site‑specific bronze and granite monument by sculptor Vinny Bagwell to replace the former J. Marion Sims plinth at Central Park’s Fifth Avenue and 103rd Street. The application asked LPC to review the removal of the granite plinth, an opening in the perimeter wall, a new ornamental wrought‑iron screen set behind the statue, and a patterned granite paving field and accessible approach.

What the proposal includes: Bagwell’s design centers a bronze figure titled Victory (approximately 9 feet tall, roughly 14 feet with wings) atop an 18‑inch textured rainbow‑granite ellipse and surrounded by a sunburst motif in Mesabi gray, academy black and rainbow granites. The artist described narrative bas‑relief elements on the figure’s garment that honor enslaved and unnamed…