SaveArtSpace is proud to present Wild & Free, a public art exhibition on billboard ad space in New York, NY, opening June 26, 2026, curated by Gigi Chen.
Wild & Free is about the close connection between nature, mythology and civilization.
Nature is such a central part of my life and work. I grew up in Queens in New York City and never even saw the woods until I was a young adult. It was such a sublime feeling when I experienced natural darkness in a forest for the first time. That initial excitement and exhilaration of being present with the trees and feeling the rocks beneath my feet is deeply ingrained within myself. As a contemporary wildlife-focused artist and a burgeoning nature photographer living in a big urban city, I have grown to appreciate the beauty and dangers of the natural world as it contends with humankind. Civilization was built on the back of nature and you really cannot separate them. Birds nest on the cornices of buildings and rats run around with the backdrop of neon lights glinting in the distance. Mixed in the disarray, are moments of magic and countless stories of adaptation. - Gigi Chen
We invite artists of all ages and talents to submit their artwork between March 30 and May 11, 2026 in order to be considered for the exhibition. This is an opportunity to have your work placed on billboard ad space in New York, NY.
The application donation fee is $10.99 per image. Fees support the production of the exhibition, including the purchase of billboard ad space. All fees paid to SaveArtSpace are 100% tax deductible donations.
Selected artists will be announced after May 25, 2026. Public art will be on view starting June 26, 2026 in New York, NY, and will be on view for at least one month.
Curator
Born in Guangdong, China and raised in New York City, Gigi Chen’s work creates an aesthetic that combines her training as a traditional animator and painter. Entrenched in the art of storytelling, Gigi plays with different metaphors involving family, love and continuously chasing the Ideal of Home. Her colorful compositions involve wildlife and light and act as metaphors for tragedy and the hope for redemption.
In addition to painting, Gigi is also an avid birder and burgeoning nature photographer with a growing passion for animal rights. Her work has been featured in solo exhibitions with several galleries including Beinart Gallery (Melbourne, Australia) and Antler Gallery (Portland, OR)
Connect with Gigi at @gigichen.art.
SaveArtSpace
Founded in 2015, SaveArtSpace is a non-profit organization that works to create an urban gallery experience, launching exhibitions that address intersectional themes and foster a message of social change that benefits the working class. By placing culture over commercialism, SaveArtSpace aims to empower artists from all walks of life and inspire a new generation of young creatives and activists.