He’s crazy – and bolts – for robots.
Curt Gray, a tile contractor living in East Meadow, LI, became the talk of Nassau County after building four 18-foot robotic sculptures of comic book greats and displaying them on his lawn on Chestnut Avenue. . .
“We receive between five and 20 people who pass by per day. Children won’t go to school unless their mother lets them see Batmanup close,” the charismatic 61-year-old told the Post.
In addition to Bruce Wayne, Gray’s big league includes the villain menacing Cyborg Superman – which debuted as an exclusive for The Post – starring Wonder Woman and Iron Man in her special “Hulk smasher” costume.
Growing up, Gray was a hyperactive child who found an outlet for his energy in art classes. As an adult, he took to making bookshelf-sized sculptures of favorite pop culture icons using old toys and household items. Over the decades, the pieces grew and grew, and at the onset of COVID, he began displaying them in his backyard to “boost morale” in the neighborhood.
He now uses recycled metals – car grills, Radio Flyer wagon parts, standing basketball hoop bases, bits of children’s beds, Razor scooters and various other crafty materials found in dumps. attics and on the street – to create his robots.
“Whenever I need a specific part for something, it somehow comes to me,” the comic book lover said. “It’s like I thought it into existence.”
Curt Gray became Long Island’s “robot man” for his incredible sculptures.
Curt Gray displays comic book heroes and villains on the lawn of his East Meadow home.
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A gigantic Wonder Woman was created by Curt Gray.
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While gray is known for its front yard display, there’s even more going on in the back. This is where he builds new robots and renovates old ones.
He is currently bringing back to life a Frankenstein robot made from a turkey pot and fence post caps, as well as a four-foot-long dog – which Gray’s wife, Anne Marie Labianco, insists . looks more like a dinosaur.
Labianco, who works in home care for the elderly, says she fully supports her husband’s art, although it may not be his first choice when it comes to interior design.
“I appreciate that we don’t have cookie cutters at home,” she told the Post. But, of course, that comes with a tradeoff.
Last year, Gray came terribly close to death with a case of bacterial meningitis. As he “passed from this world to the next”, he says he had a vision of the robot Iron Man currently in his front yard. After recovering, he built the part in just three months, instead of the typical year it takes him for most robots.
“I was so motivated,” he recalls.
he typical He spends about $1,000 on sculpturebut says its worth every penny.
“Honestly, I love doing these things. I’ll come home from work and stay in my building until midnight. Once I get it in my head, I can’t stop until it’s gone. not finished,” said Gray, who is currently building an Optimus Prime. “The fact that so many people love them too makes it even more special.”
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