Story perspectives

Vietnamese-American Artist Places Bamiyan-Honoring Sculpture on High Line

4/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

Vietnamese-American artist Tuan Andrew Nguyen installed the 27-foot sandstone sculpture “The Light That Shines Through the Universe” on Manhattan’s High Line.
He forged steel hands from melted Afghan artillery shells in the Abhaya and Varada mudras.
The piece honors the 6th-century Bamiyan Buddhas destroyed by the Taliban in March 2001.
It will stay on public view until spring 2027 and host monthly lectures and meditation starting May 16 at Frieze New York.

1 of 1

Story summary

Vietnamese-American artist Tuan Andrew Nguyen installed the 27-foot sandstone sculpture “The Light That Shines Through the Universe” on Manhattan’s High Line.
He forged steel hands from melted Afghan artillery shells in the Abhaya and Varada mudras.
The piece honors the 6th-century Bamiyan Buddhas destroyed by the Taliban in March 2001.
It will stay on public view until spring 2027 and host monthly lectures and meditation starting May 16 at Frieze New York.