On September 24, 2026, the OXH Gallery in Tampa’s Hyde Park neighborhood welcomed the unveiling of ‘Libertad’ a bronze rendition of the Statue of Liberty that is entirely encrusted with dandelions. The work is the latest milestone for Cuban-born artist Tatiana Mesa Paján who was highlighted as an emerging talent by local arts coverage the previous year. By coating a symbol of national strength with the fragile, proliferating seed-plant, she creates a visual paradox that invites viewers to contemplate liberty through the lens of softness and resilience.
The artist and the dandelion concept
In March, Paján wrote to a local outlet expressing a desire to treat an American icon the same way she had approached other sculptures—by filling them with dandelions. She explained that the aim was to bring “softness to something hard,” a sentiment that aligns with her broader practice of using organic materials to challenge rigid narratives. The emerging artist has previously explored this dialogue in installations where natural elements intervene in metal or stone forms, turning the immutable into the mutable. Her choice of the Statue of Liberty amplifies the dialogue, as the monument’s bronze skin is literally overlain with a field of delicate flowers, suggesting that freedom, like a dandelion, can both spread quietly and erupt dramatically.
‘Libertad’ finds a home at OXH Gallery
The commission for ‘Libertad’ landed at the OXH Gallery a space founded by artist Odeta Xheka. The gallery’s current program, titled “Redo: siempre/përsëri (always/again)” and stylized as REDO pairs Paján’s work with Xheka’s own pieces, emphasizing themes of repetition, renewal, and cultural memory. Situated at 1646 W Snow Ave. in Hyde Park, the venue provides an intimate setting where the bronze figure’s tactile surface can be examined up close, allowing the dandelion coating to be appreciated in both texture and symbolism. The exhibition runs through October 16, giving the public ample opportunity to engage with the juxtaposition of permanence and transience embodied in the piece.
Salon conversation and the REDO show
Leading up to the exhibition’s debut, the gallery hosted a salon conversation on September 14 that featured Dr. Alexis Mootoo president of the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, and photographer Dave Decker. The dialogue explored the intersection of public art, community identity, and the role of artists in shaping civic narratives. Mootoo highlighted how projects like ‘Libertad’ can serve as bridges between historic symbols and contemporary artistic practice, while Decker captured the moment with a series of photographs that now accompany the show’s promotional materials. The discussion underscored the collaborative spirit of Tampa’s art scene and reinforced the gallery’s mission to provide a platform for experimental, dialogue-driven work.
Visitors to OXH Gallery can expect a multi-sensory experience: the visual impact of a familiar monument reimagined, the subtle scent of fresh dandelion, and the intellectual provocation of a piece that asks what it truly means to be free. The exhibition, anchored by Tatiana Mesa Paján and Odeta Xheka continues the city’s tradition of embracing bold, thought-challenging art. As the show winds down on October 16, the conversation it sparked about resilience, renewal, and the ever-evolving definitions of liberty will undoubtedly linger well beyond the gallery walls.
