Unemployed Artist Brings Whimsy to NYC with Croc-Clad Statues
Alright, folks, let’s talk about the coolest thing happening in New York City right now.
There’s this guy from Hoboken, NJ, who’s turning the city’s statues into fashion icons—by slipping custom Croc-style shoes onto their feet.
Going by @kidwithcrocs on TikTok and Instagram, this mystery artist has racked up over 10 million views with his quirky project. And honestly, it’s hard not to love it.
Meet the Croc Guy
So, who’s behind this? We don’t know his name, but we do know he’s under 30, lives in Hoboken, and used to edit videos as a freelancer.
Right now, he’s unemployed, which gives him plenty of time to dream up wild ideas like this.
“I’ve always wanted to do something creative with Crocs,” he told The Post.
“I’m a huge fan.” How huge? The guy owns 20 pairs. That’s next-level dedication.
The Croc Mission
Since March, @kidwithcrocs has been on a mission to put Crocs on every NYC sculpture with feet—or paws.
So far, he’s hit 11 Manhattan statues. Picture this: the “Group of Bears,” a 1932 bronze sculpture by Paul Manship in Central Park, with the biggest bear rocking blue, red, green, and yellow Crocs.
Or the elephant from the “Wild Couch Party and Friends” monument at 28 Liberty St., strutting in custom footwear.
He’s also decked out five of Tom Otterness’s “Life Underground” sculptures in subway stations, the “Balto Statue” of the famous sled dog near Central Park’s Tisch Children’s Zoo, and the “Ugly Duckling” statue near East 74th Street, complete with custom duck-themed Crocs.
| Statue | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Group of Bears | Central Park | Blue, red, green, yellow Crocs on largest bear, March 6 |
| Elephant | 28 Liberty St. | Part of “Wild Couch Party and Friends” monument |
| Life Underground | NYC subway stations | Five animal-themed sculptures by Tom Otterness |
| Balto Statue | Central Park, north of Tisch Children’s Zoo | Sled dog statue |
| Ugly Duckling | Near East 74th St., Central Park | Custom duck Crocs, took two weeks to make |
How He Does It
Making these Crocs is no small feat. The artist starts by snapping pictures of each statue’s feet.
Then, he uses Blender, a free online software, to design shoes that fit perfectly.
Next, he 3D-prints plastic-like molds, sands them down, and paints them to look like real Crocs.
Each pair costs him about $60 in materials.
For the “Ugly Duckling” statue, he spent two weeks crafting white duck-themed Crocs, just because he thought it’d be funny. And you know what? It is.
The Croc Bandits
Here’s where it gets tricky: people keep stealing the Crocs.
“They’re easy to remove, and people take [them] so quickly off the statues,” he said, sounding a bit bummed.
So, what does he do? He spent 30 hours recreating every single pair and went out at 6 a.m. one Tuesday to put them back on.
That’s some serious hustle. I mean, imagine spending all that time and money just to have your work swiped.
But he’s not giving up, and that’s kind of inspiring.
Why Crocs?
Okay, let’s talk about Crocs for a second. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, they’re a cultural phenomenon.
Invented in 2002 by three friends in Colorado, Crocs are made of a foam-like material called Croslite.
They’re comfy, lightweight, and, well, polarizing. Some schools have banned them, citing slipping hazards, but they’ve got a cult following.
Our artist is all in on the Crocs vibe. “They started out as kind of like a stick-it-to-the-man piece of fashion—the whole sentiment around them is that they’re ugly, and that’s okay,” he said.
“I think there’s something really beautiful behind that.” Honestly, I get it. There’s something freeing about embracing the “ugly” and having fun with it.
Making Art Accessible
The artist’s goal isn’t just to make people laugh—though his videos are hilarious.
He wants to make art more approachable.
“Some people may not know who Paul Manship is,” he said, referring to the sculptor behind the “Group of Bears.”
“But if I put silly Crocs on the statue, then maybe a couple of people will learn about these prolific, much more serious and capable artists than myself.” It’s a smart move.
See a bear statue in Crocs, you chuckle, and maybe you Google who made it. Suddenly, you’re learning about art history. Pretty cool, right?
Public Reaction
The public is eating this up. With over 10 million views, his TikTok and Instagram videos are spreading like wildfire.
People are commenting, sharing, and getting a kick out of seeing statues in Crocs.
“I think it’s fun that people laugh and enjoy the videos,” he said. “I hope people will see them and be inspired to do something creative themselves.”
And it seems to be working. Viewers are loving the humor, and some are probably thinking about their own creative projects.
That said, there’s no public word on whether city officials or art purists are thrilled about these additions.
Modifying public sculptures could raise eyebrows, but so far, no major backlash has surfaced.
Crocs in Context
Crocs have always been a bit of a controversy.
Since their debut in 2002, they’ve been both adored and mocked.
Banned in dozens of U.S. schools over safety concerns, they’re still a go-to for folks who prioritize comfort over style.
The brand’s flagship store at 270 Columbus Ave. in Manhattan offers everything from classic clogs to stylish platforms, showing their staying power.
This artist is tapping into that quirky legacy, turning it into a public art statement.
What’s Next?
@kidwithcrocs isn’t slowing down. He’s vowed to keep going until every NYC sculpture with feet or paws is sporting Crocs.
That’s a tall order, but if anyone can pull it off, it’s this guy.
Will his project spark a citywide trend? Or maybe inspire other artists to get playful with public spaces?
One thing’s for sure: he’s bringing a lot of joy to the city, one Croc at a time.
