Sarah Lucas's VENUS VICTORIA installed at New Museum's Bowery plaza
On May 12, 2026, the New Museum introduced Sarah Lucas's sculpture VENUS VICTORIA as the first commission for its newly established public plaza located on the Bowery. This artwork showcases a pink figure in yellow high heels perched atop a large cast-concrete washing machine, drawing inspiration from the traditional reclining nude. An all-artist jury, which included Teresita Fernández, Joan Jonas, Julie Mehretu, Cindy Sherman, and Kiki Smith, chose Lucas's proposal. The sculpture will be displayed at the intersection of Bowery and Prince Street for a duration of two years, after which it will be succeeded by a commission from another female artist. This piece complements Tschabalala Self's façade commission Art Lovers (2025) and is situated at the base of the OMA-designed Toby Devan Lewis Building.
Key facts
- Sarah Lucas's VENUS VICTORIA (2026) was unveiled on May 12, 2026
- It is the inaugural commission for the New Museum's new public plaza on the Bowery
- The sculpture features a pink-hued figure in yellow high heels straddling a giant cast-concrete washing machine
- Lucas's proposal was selected by an all-artist jury: Teresita Fernández, Joan Jonas, Julie Mehretu, Cindy Sherman, Kiki Smith
- The work will be on view at Bowery and Prince Street for two years
- After two years, another commission by a woman artist will take its place
- The plaza is at the foot of the OMA-designed Toby Devan Lewis Building
- The sculpture pairs with Tschabalala Self's façade commission Art Lovers (2025)
Entities
Artists
- Sarah Lucas
- Teresita Fernández
- Joan Jonas
- Julie Mehretu
- Cindy Sherman
- Kiki Smith
- Tschabalala Self
- Massimiliano Gioni
- Madeline Weisburg
Institutions
- New Museum
- OMA
- Hammer Museum
- Tate Britain
- Venice Biennale
- Freud Museum
- National Gallery of Australia
- Museum of Modern Art
- City Racing
- FAD Magazine
Locations
- Bowery
- Prince Street
- New York
- United States
- London
- Venice
- Australia