PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Axalta Coating Systems (NYSE: AXTA), a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, was selected to coat multiple “Embracing Peace” sculptures from primer to finished product. The sculptures were created by American artist Seward Johnson and are now owned by The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc., a New Jersey-based nonprofit foundation which promotes the appreciation of, and education about, sculpture and public art through the creation, maintenance, sale and public placement of Seward Johnson’s sculptures.

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© 2004, 2005 The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc. Photo by David W. Steele The 25 foot tall Embracing Peace by sculptor Seward Johnson on view in Times Square, New York City, where the original "kiss" took place. (Photo: Axalta)

Axalta products were chosen exclusively to coat the renowned “Embracing Peace” sculptures that feature the iconic kiss between a U.S. sailor and nurse in Times Square. The structures are painted with Axalta’s Corlar^® 824S™, a two-component epoxy primer that delivers excellent durability and good corrosion protection, and Cromax^® Pro, a low VOC waterborne basecoat. For the topcoat, Axalta’s high-performance Imron^® Industrial MS600™ high solid, low gloss clearcoat was selected for its high durability and long-term protection capability.

“Seward Johnson sculptures are beautifully made and truly works of art; it is an honor to have three Axalta products chosen and trusted to protect these masterpieces,” said Michael Cash, President, Industrial Coatings. “To me, this speaks volumes of the confidence our customers have in our technology and determination to provide them with the most durable and aesthetically beautiful solutions.”

“Embracing Peace” celebrates the famous sailor and nurse photograph taken in 1945, the moment the end of World War II was announced. At 25-feet-tall, one of the bronze sculptures stood for approximately a year at the Memorial de Caen Museum and War Memorial in Caen, France, then was de-installed and moved to the Bastogne War Museum in Belgium. There are identical castings on permanent view for the public in the United States in San Diego, California and in Sarasota, Florida, and a third is on temporary exhibit at the World War II memorial project site in Royal Oak, Michigan.

About The Seward Johnson Atelier and Artist Seward Johnson

The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc., was created to promote the appreciation of, and education about, sculpture and public art in general, utilizing the creation, maintenance, sales and public placement of Seward Johnson’s artwork as its instrument. For additional information about the artist or the sculpture, contact: THE SEWARD JOHNSON ATELIER, INC. Paula Stoeke, Curator 310.264.2400 [email protected] and www.sewardjohnsonatelier.org

About Axalta Coating Systems – Celebrating 150 Years in the Coatings Industry

Axalta is a leading global company focused solely on coatings and providing customers with innovative, colorful, beautiful and sustainable solutions. From light OEM vehicles, commercial vehicles and refinish applications to electric motors, buildings and pipelines, our coatings are designed to prevent corrosion, increase productivity and enable the materials we coat to last longer. With 150 years of experience in the coatings industry, the approximately 12,800 people of Axalta continue to find ways to serve our more than 100,000 customers in 130 countries better every day with the finest coatings, application systems and technology. For more information visit axaltacoatingsystems.com and follow us @Axalta on Twitter and on LinkedIn.

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