Olivia Rose dedicated most of her Thursday morning to crafting sculptures out of a mountain of Red Delicious apples.
The New York City-based artist was creating 80 unique pieces for a full-page display in the New York Post, reflecting significant events like JFK’s assassination in 1963 and Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s inauguration on November 4. This exhibition is called “The Apple Stand,” located in Tribeca.
Using crops from a local apple orchard, Rose’s creative process aims to honor both New York City and the Post, showcasing her artistic talents through this edible medium.
“This city has a million different stories,” she shared about her work during a lively unveiling with 200 attendees at Blankmag Books on Eldridge Street. “This project is my way of collecting those stories and giving something back to the city through my art.”
To replicate the iconic design accurately, Rose utilized an $8,000 XTool F2 laser engraving machine instead of traditional tools. She invested in the 60-watt device last spring, around the time she decided to explore food as a canvas in her artistry.
“I wanted to try something fresh while in the studio, and I simply grabbed something nearby, which turned out to be a great decision,” she noted, adding that it takes about 1 minute and 20 seconds to engrave each apple.
Nevertheless, the groundwork for this innovative project required much more effort.
Rose went through extensive archives of the Post’s front pages, choosing her favorite designs and preparing images for editing. They worked on enhancing certain covers to ensure precision and cleaned up any wear and tear from older prints.
Each image was then resized to fit neatly on the surface of the apples, scaled down to just 2 inches.
Rose expressed her excitement for recreating famous covers, emphasizing the accessible nature of the Post’s design. “It’s marketing that captivates readers,” she pointed out, appreciating how the art and writing maintain a genuine yet poetic essence.
“Paper is like a friend with some cash that still knows how to have fun,” she added with a smile.
The artist’s work has garnered enthusiastic responses from lifelong New Yorkers and print media enthusiasts alike.
“The mailbox, much like apples, has always been within reach,” Rose stated, selling her decorated apples for $50 each. “This art is meant for everyone—there should be no barriers.”
She noted that, inspired by the origins of New York’s “Big Apple” nickname, she sought to celebrate fresh flavors as part of her homage to the city, which had been widely embraced since its inception in jazz culture during the 1920s and 30s.
It later evolved into a well-known tourist reference.
“Fruit has become a powerful symbol in marketing. You see ‘Big Apple’ branding everywhere,” she reflected, admiring the city’s knack for self-promotion, much like the Post does.
To help her creations last longer, Rose usually applies a sealant to the apples. However, for this exhibition, she left the pieces unsealed to show their natural aging process.
Through this work, she hopes to connect with the residents of the Big Apple.
“This art belongs to the people of New York,” Rose concluded. “It embodies the city’s unique fingerprint.”
