RENACIMIENTO DE VENUS

Daniela Szeoke. Renacimiento de Venus. 2020. Paper Maché, 2.5 x 7 ft.

This 7-foot-tall sculpture represents both ancient and contemporary aspects of Venezuelan culture. The figure was inspired by the seven-centimetre Venus de Tacarigua, an anthropomorphic fertility goddess worshipped by the Valencioides—a Pre-Columbian Indigenous group. To convey the themes of renewal, life, and growth, I chose to create a modern interpretation of “Venus” with elements of the Venezuelan “renaissance.”

​

The title of the piece alludes to Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus" in a lighthearted way to convey the idea that there are elements of Latin art that have been hidden due to historical concentration on Western culture. The "rebirth" part of the title also hints at the idea that this ancient Venezuelan goddess is reinvented through this piece and given a more contemporary light.

This is one of my most rewarding pieces because it represents several months of hard work, risk-taking, and learning. I spent about four months working on the piece every day, and it was technically and conceptually challenging. To this day, it is the piece I am most proud of.