Gabriel Orozco is a Mexican contemporary artist, known for his work in photography and a variety of other artistic mediums, including drawing, sculpture, painting, and installation. His art seeks to address the intrinsic connection between people and their environments. Orozco often explores the concept of ordinary objects posing as opportunities for reflection, making his artistry perfect for display in public spaces.
Gabriel Orozco Árbol iluminado (Enlightened Tree), 2026 Courtesy of the artist and Kurimanzutto Gallery. Photo: Nicholas Knight, courtesy of Public Art Fund, NY. Presented by Public Art Fund as a part of Gabriel Orozco: Public Nature, an exhibition on 300 JCDecaux bus shelters in New York, Chicago, and Boston, July 8, 2026 – September 6, 2026.
Street Furniture Transforms Urban Spaces into Unexpected Art Encounters
From July 8 through September 6, the Public Art Fund and JCDecaux are spotlighting Gabriel Orozco’s photographic series Public Nature. This exhibition is part of a 10 year-long partnership, through which JCDecaux bus shelters become “public museums,” biannually displaying original artworks commissioned for the program. Orozco’s debut large-scale public art showcase is installed on 300 bus shelters across New York City, Chicago, and Boston, which serve as vessels for commuters and pedestrians to pause what they’re doing, observe, and reflect on their surroundings. The program is currently garnering 22M weekly impressions across the three cities, proving its extensive reach.
Gabriel Orozco Jerga papalote, 2026 Courtesy of the artist and Kurimanzutto Gallery. Photo: Nicholas Knight, courtesy of Public Art Fund, NY. Presented by Public Art Fund as a part of Gabriel Orozco: Public Nature, an exhibition on 300 JCDecaux bus shelters in New York, Chicago, and Boston, July 8, 2026 – September 6, 2026.
The Meaning Behind Public Nature
Curated by Public Art Fund Associate Curator of Public Practice Gabriela López Dena, the exhibition focuses on the intertwinement of natural and urban elements. Orozco’s photos are not dramatic spectacles, but instead ordinary scenes that inspire thoughtful conversation. They capture moments where plants and trees emerge through pipes and concrete structures, revealing that the natural world is far from untouched; rather, it continues to adapt and reshape our environments as we develop them. Above all, the exhibition implores people to find beauty in nature, even in the man-made city infrastructure we don’t normally give a second thought.
Gabriel Orozco Salvavidas de Acapulco (Acapulco Lifesavers), 2026 Courtesy of the artist and Kurimanzutto Gallery. Photo: Noah Therrien - SandenWolff, courtesy of Public Art Fund, NY Presented by Public Art Fund as a part of Gabriel Orozco: Public Nature, an exhibition on 300 JCDecaux bus shelters in New York, Chicago, and Boston, July 8, 2026 – September 6, 2026.
Art All Around Us
By dedicating advertising infrastructure to contemporary artwork, JCDecaux and the Public Art Fund demonstrate how public spaces can become sites for observation and discussion. Rather than visiting a museum to view art, this biannual program meets people along their daily routines, whether they are waiting for a bus, commuting to work, or strolling around their neighborhood. The result is a collection that reaches urban residents wherever they are and transforms urban areas into a shared cultural conversation, making art feel approachable and accessible.
Gabriel Orozco Enredadera pública (Public Vine), 2026 Courtesy of the artist and Kurimanzutto Gallery. Photo: Nicholas Knight, courtesy of Public Art Fund, NY. Presented by Public Art Fund as a part of Gabriel Orozco: Public Nature, an exhibition on 300 JCDecaux bus shelters in New York, Chicago, and Boston, July 8, 2026 – September 6, 2026.
Learn more about artist Gabriel Orozco and his photographic series here.