Commission approves two temporary dragon sculptures for Chinese New Year in Union Square and Rose Pak Station

The San Francisco Arts Commission unanimously approved placements of two temporary sculptures to mark Chinese New Year, after a brief presentation and an amended motion naming the correct artist. The works are privately sponsored and will not enter the civic art collection.

Commissioner Susie Farris introduced the item and described two painted-wood sculptures (roughly 5 feet by 4 feet by 9 feet, 10 inches) to be installed from Jan. 28 through March 2, 2024. One sculpture, painted gold by Stephanie Mufson, will be installed at Rose Pak Station; the other, by Qingwei Jie in a blue-and-white ornamental pattern, will be installed at the northwest entrance to Union Square. Mary Chu said the Chinese Chamber of Commerce has run similar zodiac-sculpture programs in prior years.

Tony Lau of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce said the group has sponsored these zodiac installations for several years and hopes the sculptures will help extend community celebration and draw visitors to Chinatown and downtown.

"This is one of the things that creates festive celebrations for the Chinatown community," Tony Lau said.

Commissioner Beltran moved the amended motion and it passed unanimously with no public comment recorded. Staff noted the works are privately funded and clarified they will not become part of the permanent civic-art collection.