From Mona Lisa to Terminal A: Whoopi Goldberg Featured in New Jersey Tribute at Newark Airport
A beautiful black-and-white image of Whoopi Goldberg greets travelers at Newark Liberty International Airport, celebrating New Jersey’s cultural tradition. The Oscar-winning actor and comedian is dressed as Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa in Terminal A, replete with Renaissance-era clothing, haircut, and the famed cryptic expression that has captivated the globe for ages.
Portrait part of “What Exit?” show. The New Jersey Spirit,” by renowned photographer Timothy White. The installation features influential New Jerseyans. The exhibit, first seen at the Newark Museum of Art in 2019, is now at one of the nation’s largest airports, where domestic travelers may see it.
Over the weekend, West Orange native Goldberg attended Terminal A’s opening ceremony. The displayed snapshot has a surprising backstory. It appears dramatic and creative, yet it was taken in 2009 for a Poise Pads commercial campaign. That advertising was funny and honest, casting celebrities as historical ladies to minimize bladder-control stigma. When asked about her Mona Lisa-style look, Goldberg replied with her characteristic humor that the message was straightforward and direct, fitting the campaign’s tone.
The Terminal A display features 19 photographs of famous New Jerseyans down a corridor. Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, Jon Bon Jovi, Queen Latifah, Danny DeVito, Joe Pesci, James Gandolfini, and others are New Jersey Hall of Fame inductees. The photographs showcase New Jersey’s music, film, television, and popular culture skills.
First Lady Tammy Murphy and Timothy White led the opening ceremony, which included representatives of the Newark Museum of Art and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which manages Newark Liberty International Airport. Murphy said the airport is a great place for the exhibition since it shows visitors and residents where many famous people come from and represents New Jersey well.
Timothy White, a Fort Lee native who lives in Los Angeles, said “What Exit?” was inspired by how many famous New Jerseyans he had photographed. The exhibition title echoes a common local query about New Jersey Turnpike exits, used by homeowners to locate homes. Due to its airport site, a regional art initiative has become a national showcase.
The exhibition contains recent state political and cultural history. After its museum debut, the governor’s Newark office displayed the collection, recognizing its cultural worth. Terminal A allows thousands of people to interact with the artwork daily.
Terminal visitors have noticed. Black-and-white photographs of John Travolta walking through a snowy park were admired for their artistic contrast and variety of personalities. Others felt the exhibit made flight waits more fun and gave the airport a creative touch.
The display is visually appealing and educational for many viewers. It shows how much New Jersey has shaped American entertainment and society, often unnoticed. By displaying these photos in an airport, “What Exit? The New Jersey Spirit” makes everyday travel a reflection on the state’s legacy.
Sources
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Newark Museum of Art
Office of the Governor of New Jersey
