Studio Museum in Harlem acquires Karon Davis's Sable Venus
The Studio Museum in Harlem has recently added Karon Davis's striking sculpture, Sable Venus (2016–2024), to its collection. This life-size work portrays a gold-painted woman emerging from a wave, with her hair braided and adorned with puka shells. The piece is inspired by Sandro Botticelli's iconic work and Robin Coste Lewis's poem, which reflects on the representation of Black women in art. Over eight years, Davis used plaster to highlight themes of memory and preservation in her art. The acquisition was facilitated by Lianne Barnes, with acknowledgments to Thelma Golden and the Studio Museum.
Key facts
- Studio Museum in Harlem acquired Karon Davis's sculpture Sable Venus
- Sable Venus was created between 2016 and 2024
- The sculpture is a life-size plaster figure painted gold
- It references Botticelli's Birth of Venus and Robin Coste Lewis's poem
- The acquisition was made possible by Lianne Barnes
- Thelma Golden is acknowledged in the acquisition
- Karon Davis was born in 1977 in Reno, Nevada
- Davis's work addresses history, race, and violence in the US
Entities
Artists
- Karon Davis
- Sandro Botticelli
- Robin Coste Lewis
Institutions
- Studio Museum in Harlem
- Wilding Cran Gallery
Locations
- Harlem
- New York City
- United States
- Reno
- Nevada