FLOWER MARKET 2.0 || CJ Hendry Turns Rockefeller Center into a Plush Floral Playground
Most art invites you to look; CJ Hendry’s latest project asks you to play.
This September, the Australian-born artist brings Flower Market 2.0 to the heart of New York City, transforming Rockefeller Center’s Center Plaza into a riot of colour, texture, and imagination. For three days, visitors will be surrounded by fields of oversized plush flowers, with 27 new designs that turn the familiar act of browsing a flower stall into a tactile adventure.
Hendry, best known for her hyper-realistic drawings and large-scale installations, has made a career of reimagining everyday objects as extraordinary encounters. Here, she elevates the humble flower market into an immersive environment where art becomes not just something to observe but something to hold, carry, and take home. Each guest is offered one flower free of charge, while additional stems can be purchased for $5, a whimsical gesture that turns acquisition into part of the artwork itself.
This year also introduces a limited-edition 28th flower, available exclusively with tickets to the Top of the Rock observation deck. Paired with a general admission ticket, the collectible bloom ties Hendry’s installation to the iconic skyline views, weaving together art, play, and one of the city’s most storied landmarks.
Beyond the flowers themselves, Flower Market 2.0 features editioned floral wall sculptures, original artworks, and limited-edition merchandise, ensuring that every visitor can engage with Hendry’s imaginative universe. For families, a collaboration with Space Club, a Brooklyn-based sensory playground, extends the installation into programming designed for children, further underlining the spirit of inclusivity and play. Families will be invited to enjoy the Brooklyn-based playground’s first-ever event in Manhattan on Saturday, September 20, from 10 AM to 2 PM .
“Last year’s Flower Market took on a life of its own—it was chaotic and beautiful,” Hendry reflects. “This time, we’re dialling everything up to 100—Rockefeller Center is the perfect place to do that.”
By situating her immersive playground in Midtown Manhattan, Hendry not only redefines how art is experienced but also brings a burst of levity to the city’s cultural calendar. The result is both chaotic and beautiful: an installation where playfulness becomes profound, and art reveals itself in the simple act of holding a flower.
Tickets for the event will be available for purchase online at RockefellerCenter.com.
