Marisol, born María Sol Escobar, is the focus of a retrospective at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum. A lesser-known figure of the Pop Art movement, the Venezuelan American artist was famed for her surreal, life-sized sculptures made from wood and casts of her own body. Her works often depicted friends, family, and notable figures such as John F. Kennedy and Pablo Picasso. Notably, she crafted a portrait of Georgia O’Keeffe, based on photos taken during a visit to New Mexico.
Her 1966 solo exhibition at Sidney Janis Gallery in New York attracted thousands, and she received significant commissions, including a sculpture of Hugh Hefner featured on TIME magazine’s cover. Representing Venezuela at the 1968 Venice Biennale, she later traveled extensively instead of capitalizing on her success.
In the late 1970s, Marisol’s focus shifted to portrait sculptures of notable artists, celebrated in the 1981 exhibition at Sidney Janis Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery’s 1991 show. The 1980s saw her work addressing social issues, while the 1990s featured sculptures of famous Native Americans.
A 2014 retrospective by the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art renewed interest in her work. Upon her death in 2016, Marisol left her extensive estate to the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, now Buffalo AKG, making it the leading repository of her work.
The retrospective is on view through January 6, 2025.
Buffalo AKG Art Museum
1285 Elmwood Ave
Buffalo, NY 14222
