In its tenth season, Roosevelt Island’s waterfront pool is back with yet another gorgeous colorful mural on its pool deck.
Every year since 2014, K&CO Design and Pliskin Architecure have worked with the Manhattan Park residential complex to create a pop-up art installation for the Manhattan Park Pool Club, commissioning a different local artist each year. The unveiling of the outdoor pool and swim club has become an eagerly-anticipated summer staple.
Last year’s work was designed by NYC-based artist James Gortner, exploring the themes of joy of existence and sustainability, and this year’s iteration is designed by Yuehan (Selina) Ma.
Here’s a bit about the artist: Ma, a talented artist from Beijing who further refined her skills at New York’s famed Parsons School of Design, has crafted ‘Aqua Libertas,’ a piece that embodies the boundless movement of water and the innate human yearning for freedom and unrestrained living – a feeling especially relevant during the summer months.
The pool deck is 8,000 square feet, so this year’s mural took 15 days, 42 gallons of paint, and several additional helpers to complete!
Ma stated:
My creations pay tribute to the fluidity of freedom itself with each stroke and color choice breaking from traditional forms of geometries commonly found in pool design. I’ve embraced organic shapes that mirror the natural paths of rivers and streams—unhindered and sovereign. The abstract motifs encircling the canvas honor the boundless sky, ever-changing clouds, and lush landscapes—elements that coexist harmoniously with water. Through ‘Aqua Libertas’ I extend an invitation to viewers to venture into a realm of reflection not just to swim in water but to immerse themselves in the essence of freedom embodied by water.
Considering its bright, colorful appearance we can already expect our Instagram feeds to be flooded with photos from here!
Manhattan Park is an 8.5-acre luxury waterfront rental community on the Roosevelt Island waterfront promenade. It’s surrounded by luscious landscaped grounds and stunning NYC skyline views, making it the perfect place to spend a warm summer’s day.
If you’re not a resident of Roosevelt Island you can stop by the pool throughout the summer on weekdays for $55 and $70 on the weekend. Roosevelt Island residents can access the pool for $35 during weekdays and $45 on weekends.
Email info@manhattanpark.com or call 212.759.8660 to make a reservation. You can also purchase a season-long or monthly membership to Roosevelt Island’s waterfront pool. Find more info on their website here!
Written by Claire Leaden, Bianca Bahamondes, & Brianna Perry