Artist
John Y. Wind
Dates
Saturday April 18 to April 19, 2026
At the William M. Reilly Memorial
May 29 to October 6, 2026
At InLiquid Park Towne Place South Tower
About the William M. Reilly Memorial
The William M. Reilly Memorial in Fairmount Park was established through a trust created by General William M. Reilly (1822–1896) of the Pennsylvania National Guard, who envisioned a monument honoring Revolutionary War
figures from abroad. The first four sculptures — representing Richard Montgomery, Casimir Pulaski, Baron von Steuben, and the Marquis de Lafayette — were installed in 1947, more than fifty years after Reilly’s death. Additional figures, John Paul Jones and Nathanael Greene, were added in 1957 and 1961. Reilly described these figures as “young, ardent volunteers from other lands... inspired by... the love of liberty for all mankind,” and conceived the memorial as both a tribute to individual achievement and an expression of gratitude to the nations that contributed to the founding of the United States.
Inliquid at Park Towne Place
About Inliquid
InLiquid is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit organisation dedicated to supporting artists and expanding access to contemporary art through exhibitions, partnerships, and public programming. Through its dynamic network of artists and collaborators, InLiquid fosters opportunities for artistic experimentation and public engagement across the city and beyond.
About Park Towne Place
Park Towne Place Museum District Residences is uniquely situated on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway among the city of Philadelphia’s most cherished art and cultural institutions. The vision for the community is to fully integrate Park Towne Place into the fabric of the Parkway – providing a unique art experience for residents and visitors alike through the permanent art collection on display, rotational exhibits, and educational and social opportunities to visit with artists. The award-winning art program at Park Towne Place is presented by AIR Communities, one of the largest owners of apartment homes in Philadelphia.
Up Coming Event
Reception and Artist Talk
Please join us at 6 pm on Tuesday, July 21, for an artist talk and button giveaway with John Y. Wind on the Charm Offensive @ Reilly Memorial Installation and Exhibition, currently on view in the South Tower of Park Towne Place. The talk will take place at the Oar Pub in Park Towne Place, and light refreshments will be served.
Schedule
- 6:00p | Open doors
- 6:15p | Artist talk begins
- 7:15p | Tour of Charm Offensive @ Reilly Memorial
Please note that there is no public parking available on Park Towne Place’s campus. We suggest using a ride-share service, taxi, or public transportation if possible. If you require parking, metered parking is available on Park Towne Place Street and on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Charm Offensive
The project centers on the William M. Reilly Memorial in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia—six bronze sculptures honoring foreign-born volunteers who fought for American independence, commissioned per General Reilly's 1890 will. Wind, himself an immigrant, will conduct deep historical research in partnership with the Association for Public Art, then temporarily embellish the statues and pedestals with handcrafted jewelry and mixed-media assemblages—necklaces, belts, draped flags, and charm-laden chains—fabricated from laser-cut acrylic, found objects, and resin. The work unpacks visual codes of biography and heroism, reframing them through a contemporary lens and engaging urgent conversations about immigration, commemoration, and representation.
Artist Information
John Y. Wind
John Y. Wind is a multidisciplinary artist working across jewelry, installation, and material practice. His work engages intimacy, symbolism, and narrative through material form, often grounded in historical research. He studied at the Slade School of Fine Art, London, and the University of Pennsylvania.
Learn Moreartwork highlights
Montgomery
Montgomery detail
Vonsteuben
Research Location
The Association for Public Art (aPA)
Public art can spark imagination, explore hidden stories, engage the issues of our time, and bring people together. The Association for Public Art (aPA) collaborates with artists and communities to make public art accessible to all and create an enduring legacy for future generations. The aPA has been bringing contemporary art to Philadelphia since 1872, evolving over time to become one of the few nonprofit public art organizations in the U.S. that commissions new works, preserves historic works, and interprets a collection of public art.
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full project information
Radical Americana
For the Semiquincentennial, The Clay Studio is leading Radical Americana, a series of exhibitions organized by a consortium of Philadelphia’s arts and cultural institutions. Each celebrates how artists today are continuing the city’s robust legacy as a center for art, skill, and civic engagement. The 45 artists researched and were inspired by the art and history of Philadelphia in 1776, and the subsequent commemorations in 1876, 1926, and 1976. The artists' new work will add their voices to current dialogue about our nation’s present and future, inspire civil dialogue, celebrate Philadelphia's diversity, and continue the rich tradition of creativity in our city.
view full projectOther Exhibitions with InLiquid
See more amazing work as In Liquid host a number of more artists discussing the 250th anniversary of the signing of the declaration of independence and the different forms it takes in our various Philadelphian communities.
At Its Roots
DATE May 22, 2026 – October 6, 2026
HOURS By Appointment - Call 215-235-3405 or email programming@inliquid.org to schedule your visit!
LOCATION Park Towne Place, North and West Tower, 2200 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Future/Past/Present
DATE
May 30, 2026 – July 11, 2026
HOURS
12 - 6 pm, Wednesday - Saturday
LOCATION
InLiquid Gallery, 1400 N American St, Philadelphia, PA, 19122
Other Events with InLiquid
At Its Root
In a celebration of the vast diversity of cultures that embody this country, particularly the city of Philadelphia, At Its Root explores the works of three local artists who examine the meaning of origin, ideas of home, and the construction of identity, honoring the people and history that make the city. Philadelphia has had a remarkable history of migration since its origins. This exhibition delves into the multiplicity and richness of its people and art, fostering a sense of unity. Colette Fu, Duwenavue Santé Johnson, and DeJeonge Reese exemplify what it means to hold cultural identity with pride.
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Other events with inLiquid
Future/Past/Present
This multi-media exhibition features seven InLiquid Artist Members making work about the United States’ past, present, and future. Using photos, sculpture, painting, and other mediums, these artists bring various cultural phenomena to coexist on a single plane. Through this exhibition, we’re reminded that the American political landscape is intersectional and extends beyond our immediate line of sight, our present. As we celebrate the United States’ 250th Anniversary, we take this time to reflect on how we’ve evolved as a nation and who we might dream of becoming.
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