Simone Leigh: Three works by the renowned sculptor at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center

Three striking bronze sculptures, showcasing the abstract style and artistic vision of Simone Leigh, embellish the Agora at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center. The exhibition, titled “Anatomy of Architecture,” features the renowned African American sculptor and officially opened today, running until October 31.

Expressing her sentiments, Simone Leigh remarked, “It is a privilege to showcase my work in a country known as one of the birthplaces of culture. Sculpture has a rich tradition in Athens, and it is truly an honor to display my pieces here. For my sculpture ‘Herm,’ I drew inspiration from ancient Greek statues known as Herms, historically positioned as guardians at crossroads and public spaces. This contemporary piece, placed in the Agora of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, embodies that protective role. It’s particularly significant for me to exhibit my work in the Agora, as in ancient city-states, the Agora was central to public life, yet historically excluded women,” she explained.

Leigh’s sculptures frequently intertwine the female form with household items and architectural motifs, highlighting often-overlooked narratives of care, labor, and consumption. By showcasing these works in the Agora, she fosters an inclusive dialogue with visitors, encouraging them to engage—or confront—the three imposing sculptural forms. This setup offers another enriching artistic experience that emphasizes the SNFCC’s commitment to evolving public art, promoting engagement through both direct interaction and curated experiences for diverse audiences.

Over the past two decades, Simone Leigh has developed a diverse portfolio that spans sculpture, video, and installation, centered around the exploration of Black female identity and its interpretations. She describes her work as “auto-ethnographic,” often drawing from African art and traditions. In 2022, she was the first African American woman to represent the U.S. at the Venice Biennale, receiving the Golden Lion for Best National Participation for her monumental sculpture, “Brick House.”

Born in Chicago in 1967, Leigh has held solo exhibitions at prestigious institutions like the Guggenheim Museum in New York, Tate Gallery in London, Studio Museum in Harlem, and Hammer Museum in Los Angeles. Her work has been featured in the Whitney Biennial in 2012 and 2019. She was also the inaugural artist commissioned to create a piece for the High Line Plinth in New York’s High Line park, where her sculpture “Brick House” was unveiled to the public in April 2019.

In 2022, Leigh represented the U.S. at the 59th Venice Biennale, earning the Golden Lion for her contribution. A retrospective celebrating her two-decade career was held in 2023 at the Boston Institute of Contemporary Art, later traveling to the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, D.C., followed by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the California African American Museum in Los Angeles.