Brendan Murphy Studio unveils Love Matters Bear, a 4-foot public sculpture debuting in Providence as the first installation in the global Love Matters Everywhere initiative. Created by internationally acclaimed contemporary artist Brendan Murphy, the work marks a homecoming to his native city and reflects his long-standing connection to Providence, where his early creative formation was shaped by the cultural energy of Thayer Street and the surrounding Brown University and RISD community. The installation is presented in Murphy’s signature chrome finish, featuring abstract equations, symbols, and visual language that express his central belief that love is a foundational force in human connection and creativity.

The installation is located at 157 Bowen St, Providence, RI 02906, positioned at the edge of Brown University’s campus, transforming a private residence into a public site for reflection, healing, and community engagement. Timed ahead of Mother’s Day, the unveiling serves as a tribute to the artist’s late mother, a longtime nurse at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, and honors caregivers everywhere. Building on Murphy’s ongoing philanthropic commitments in Providence, including his donation of Sweet Magic to Brown University Health / Hasbro Children’s Hospital, Love Matters Bear continues his mission to bring public art into meaningful dialogue with community, memory, and care.