Painter Cy Gavin wins the Studio Museum in Harlem’s annual $50,000 Wein Artist Prize.
Portrait of Thelma Golden and Cy Gavin. Photo by Bre Johnson, BFA. Courtesy of The Studio Museum in Harlem.
The Studio Museum in Harlem has named Cy Gavin as the recipient of its annual Joyce Alexander Wein Artist Prize, bestowing upon the artists a sum of $50,000. The award was presented at the museum’s annual gala, held at The Glasshouse in New York City, which drew a crowd of over 600 people and successfully raised over $3.2 million for the museum’s programming and initiatives.
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Gavin is renowned for work that explores nature and the historical shaping of landscapes, particularly in the context of slavery and resistance. His canvases come alive with sweeping, expressive brushwork and a vivid palette, often unfolding at expansive scales. The artist lives and works in New York’s Hudson Valley, and his surrounding environment often inspires his abstract landscapes.
Museum director Thelma Golden lauded the artist for his innovative spirit and his creative contributions to the arts, which align perfectly with the award’s criteria. Unlike previous recipients, the artist is already represented by a major gallery. Gavin, who recently joined the roster of Gagosian, is set to present his new work at the gallery’s location in Rome at the end of November.
