It’s one of the largest airports in the U.S.
Ron Bass is an artist and Brooklyn native known for his vibrant works of art. He discovered his love for art after his parents’ passing, emoting through his work with the goal of inspiring and uplifting the masses. Bass has a love for melding fashion and art, curating pieces for stars like Jay-Z, Missy Elliott, and Tyler Perry, and working with notable brands like Forever 21, Chevrolet, and Spotify. Now, Bass is bringing it back home, recently unveiling his new permanent art installations at New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport.
The new installations are part of the revitalization of JFK Airport, the ninth-largest in the nation. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey teamed up with JFK Millennium Partners (JMP) to oversee a $4.2 billion renovation to Terminal 6 and put JMP in charge of managing Terminal 7. With Terminal 6 set for completion in 2026, JMP focused on transforming Terminal 7, elevating the experience for passengers by bringing local artists like Bass into the space to create “a distinct sense of place” for New Yorkers.
“We are constantly looking at how we can further improve the passenger experience at Terminal 7 and reinvigorate the space. Our aim was to ensure that travelers and employees alike felt New York’s vibrant, uplifting spirit as soon as they entered our building – and we knew that Ron Bass was the perfect artist to do this,” said Karen Ali, COO at JMP.
For the project, Bass created four wall murals, blending and highlighting his unique style of pop culture and street art. The murals “Dear NY,” “Unified,” “I (really) LOVE NY,” and “Destination: New Heights” are scattered throughout Terminal 7 between Arrivals and Gate 9. Bass called the commission of the new installations “an opportunity to show his gratitude” to New York.
“This partnership offered] me the opportunity to show my appreciation and gratitude for the city that raised me. It adds profound sound, shape, and color to my artistic voice. It hugs and speaks to the young boy in me who used to make rocket ships out of pillow cushions behind his mother’s couch. It also serves as a reminder to anyone with a dream that anything, and I mean anything, is possible,” Bass told Because Of Them We Can.
Terminal 7 is home to several airlines, including Frontier, Ethiopian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Icelandair. Bass hopes people can feel the frequency of love and the vibrancy of New York through his work as they interact with the art.
“This is a huge honor for me to partner with JFK Millennium Partners at Terminal 7. It’s my hometown – my foundation. I wanted to create a free-flowing and abstract New York story. A story that is vibrant, engaging, fun, and representative of the diverse cultures, art, sound, taste, and feel of my beloved city. [I approached] this body of work as a first line of defense for the many travelers arriving to visit NYC, as well as paying homage to all the employees and staff, residents, and natives returning home. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and the word ‘LOVE’ will be present physically and emotionally, and that is my gift to everyone who comes across this four-piece collection,” Bass said via press release.
In addition to the new JFK installations, Bass is also working on an activity book for children and adults that is set to be released in the summer of 2025. To keep up with his work, follow him on Instagram @IAm_RonBass.
Cover photo: Brooklyn Artist Ron Bass Unveils His New Permanent Art Installations at JFK Airport/Photo Credit: PANYNJ/CityLifeOrg