Marisol Escobar, better known simply as Marisol, was a Venezuelan-American sculptor born in Paris who lived and worked in New York City. She is best known for her carved wooden sculptures which often incorporated photographs, found objects, and textiles. Her work has been celebrated for its unique combination of materials and its celebration of women and dogs.
Marisol’s work first gained attention in the 1960s when she was included in several group exhibitions at the Sidney Janis Gallery. She quickly became one of the most prominent artists of her generation, whose innovative work helped define the decade. Her sculptures were often large-scale works featuring female figures with exaggerated features that were both humorous and poignant.
One of Marisol’s most famous works is “Love,” a sculpture depicting two figures embracing each other while standing on a dog’s back. The figures are made from wood, while the dog is constructed from fabric and paper mache. This piece is an example of Marisol’s use of mixed media to create artworks that explore themes such as love, relationships, and identity.
In addition to her sculptures celebrating women and dogs, Marisol also created prints using various techniques such as lithography, etching, woodcut printing, silk screening, and collagraphy. These prints often featured abstract figures or landscapes that explored themes related to nature or spirituality. Many of these prints were exhibited in solo shows at galleries throughout the United States during her lifetime.
Marisol’s artwork continues to be celebrated today by museums around the world including MoMA in New York City; The National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington D.C.; The Brooklyn Museum; The High Museum of Art in Atlanta; The Los Angeles County Museum of Art; The Walker Art Center in Minneapolis; The Philadelphia Museum of Art; The Whitney Museum of American Art; and many more institutions across Europe and Latin America.
Marisol’s artwork celebrates women and dogs through its unique combination of materials and its exploration of themes related to love, relationships, identity, nature, spirituality, etc.. Her work continues to inspire new generations of artists who are exploring similar themes through their own creative practices.
