Nancy Graves, New York State Governor's Arts Award to Beverly Sills and the New York City Opera, 1988

Nancy Graves was an avant-garde filmmaker and world traveler who incorporated elements of classical antiquity, as well as Ancient Egyptian, African, Japanese, Korean, and Indian art into her work. In 1969, only five years after getting her MFA from the Yale School of Art & Architecture. she became the first woman to be awarded a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art. In 1988, Graves was commissioned to create this unique sculpture to be given to the winner of the prestigious New York State Governor's Arts Award. The recipient of the award was legendary soprano Beverly Sills for the New York City Opera. Beverly Sills (nee Bubbles Silverman) - one of the most celebrated New Yorkers would go on to become the general manager of the New York City Opera. In 1994, she became the chairwoman of Lincoln Center and then, in 2002, of the Metropolitan Opera.
The plaque is welded to the base of the sculpture. (see photos) An exceptional piece symbolizing the vibrancy of the arts in New York City.