A Giant Leap for Public Art: Brendan Murphy’s Spaceman Extends Its Stay in Washington, D.C.
Standing 23 feet tall near the Washington Monument, the celebrated sculpture continues to inspire curiosity, creativity, and connection at the Art Museum of the Americas.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — There is something extraordinary waiting to be discovered along Constitution Avenue. Standing 23 feet tall, its reflective surface alive with color, contemporary American artist Brendan Murphy’s monumental Spaceman has become a striking addition to the landscape of the nation’s capital. And now, its journey in Washington continues.
Originally installed as part of Passport to Patriotism: 250 Years of Diplomacy, the American Arts Conservancy’s exhibition celebrating America's 250th anniversary, Murphy’s Serve the Flag will remain on display at the Art Museum of the Americas (AMA), part of the Organization of American States (OAS), beyond the exhibition’s October 18 closing.
The extended installation offers residents and visitors another opportunity to experience an exceptional work of contemporary American art, free and in a remarkable public setting just moments from the National Mall.
Go See It
Art Museum of the Americas: 201 18th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C., 20006An Invitation to Imagine What’s Possible
With the Washington Monument rising behind it, Murphy’s Spaceman creates an extraordinary meeting of past, present, and future.
Part of the artist’s celebrated BOONJI Spaceman series, Serve the Flag combines a familiar symbol of human exploration with Murphy’s distinctive visual language of handwritten symbols, mathematical expressions, and vibrant reflective surfaces.
Its monumental scale commands attention, but its message invites something more personal.
The astronaut is a universal figure of curiosity and discovery, representing humanity’s enduring desire to explore the unknown. Through this familiar form, Murphy encourages viewers to consider the possibilities that emerge when imagination, courage, and determination come together.
Its reflective exterior captures the surrounding city, the changing light, and the people who stop to admire it, transforming each encounter into something uniquely personal.
Against the backdrop of one of America's most recognizable landmarks, the sculpture becomes an uplifting reminder that the spirit of exploration continues to shape our collective future.
A Celebration That Continues Beyond the Gallery
Presented from July 30 through October 18, 2026, Passport to Patriotism: 250 Years of Diplomacy brought together contemporary American artists in a celebration of the nation's history, creative expression, and enduring spirit of possibility.
Organized by the American Arts Conservancy in collaboration with the Art Museum of the Americas and the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Art in Embassies, the exhibition highlighted the important role of art in fostering cultural understanding, strengthening connections, and making American creativity accessible to new audiences.
While the exhibition has concluded, Murphy’s Spaceman continues to carry that spirit forward.
Its extended presence is a particularly meaningful reflection of the American Arts Conservancy’s commitment to expanding public access to the arts and creating cultural experiences that endure beyond the traditional exhibition calendar.
Public art has a remarkable ability to meet people where they are. It invites unexpected encounters, sparks conversation, and introduces contemporary art to audiences who may never have planned a museum visit.
Through works like Serve the Flag, those experiences become part of the everyday fabric of a city.
Meet the Artist: Brendan Murphy
American contemporary artist Brendan Murphy is internationally recognized for his innovative approach to painting and sculpture, combining powerful visual imagery with a distinct language of symbols, equations, and expressive markings.
His celebrated BOONJI Spaceman series explores ideas of human connection, exploration, and the boundless possibilities of imagination.
Murphy's sculptures have captured audiences around the world, transforming the familiar silhouette of an astronaut into a contemporary symbol of curiosity and aspiration.
At the Art Museum of the Americas, Serve the Flag brings these themes into conversation with the nation's history, celebrating the creative spirit and forward-looking imagination that continue to define American artistic expression.
Learn more about Brendan Murphy and his work, explore his profile with the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Art in Embassies, and read the Organization of American States’ announcement about the sculpture’s arrival in Washington.
Art That Brings People Together
For the American Arts Conservancy, the continued presentation of Serve the Flag represents an especially rewarding extension of Passport to Patriotism.
The exhibition was conceived around the belief that art can illuminate history, inspire conversation, and build connections across generations and cultures.
Now, one of its most recognizable installations continues to welcome new audiences, demonstrating the lasting possibilities of collaboration between artists, cultural institutions, and the public.
From families exploring Washington to visitors discovering the sculpture during a walk near the National Mall, Serve the Flag offers a moment to stop, look upward, and consider what lies ahead.
It is a fitting continuation of a project celebrating 250 years of American history: an opportunity not only to reflect on how far we have come, but to imagine how far we can go.
Come See the Spaceman
Whether you're a Washington local, visiting the nation's capital, or looking for an inspiring stop near the National Mall, Brendan Murphy’s monumental Spaceman is well worth discovering.
Location: Art Museum of the Americas, Organization of American States
Address: 201 18th Street NW, Washington, DC 20006
Admission: Free
Installation: Serve the Flag by Brendan Murphy
Status: Continuing beyond the October 18, 2026, conclusion of Passport to Patriotism
Visitors are encouraged to check the Art Museum of the Americas website for current visiting information.
The exhibition may have concluded, but the inspiration continues. We invite you to visit, look up, and experience Brendan Murphy’s Spaceman for yourself.
The American Arts Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing American art through diplomacy, education, and legacy. Learn more about our initiatives and support opportunities at americanartsconservancy.org.
