Artist Profile

Cy Gavin

Cy Gavin is an American artist known for his multidisciplinary practice spanning painting, sculpture, and performance, often incorporating unconventional materials like tattoo ink, diamonds, and seeds. His work frequently explores the intersection of aesthetics, natural environments, and the built world.

Biography

Born in the United States, Cy Gavin has established a practice that bridges traditional painting with sculptural and performance-based elements. Based in New York, he has gained recognition for his experimental approach to medium, frequently integrating non-traditional substances such as pink sand, staples, and tattoo ink into his compositions.

Gavin’s work is characterized by a deep engagement with the natural and built environment, often utilizing these themes to challenge conventional interpretations of landscape and space. His practice is marked by a tactile, material-heavy process that emphasizes the physical presence of his chosen media.

Currently represented by Gagosian Gallery, Gavin continues to be recognized for his contributions to contemporary discourse on ecology and art. In 2026, he was invited to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to discuss his practice in relation to the museum's Ecologies of Painting gallery rotation.

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Career Highlights

  • 2026Metropolitan Museum of Art artist talk
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From The Cultural Signal

Paris

Gagosian Artists Feature in Palais Garnier Project 12, Sotheby's Auction December 3

On October 16, 2026, Gagosian announced Project 12, a residency launched in 2025 by the Opéra national de Paris and the Association pour le Rayonnement de l’Opéra national de Paris to mark the Palais Garnier's 150th anniversary.

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