Davina Semo (born 1979) is an American contemporary artist who works primarily with sculpture and installation, employing industrial materials such as metal, steel, and hardware components. Based in New York City, her practice explores the intersection of functional objects and abstract form, often emphasizing the physical properties of the materials she utilizes.
Early life and education
- Born in 1979 in the United States.
- Received a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).
- Completed a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) at Columbia University’s School of the Arts.
Artistic practice
Semo’s work is characterized by a focus on the tactile and structural qualities of metal and hardware. She frequently assembles found industrial components—such as bolts, springs, and hinges—into sculptural configurations that challenge conventional notions of utility and abstraction. The artist’s approach emphasizes manual fabrication, often involving welding and hand‑assembly techniques.
Selected exhibitions
Solo exhibitions
- The Kitchen, New York (2011) – “Davina Semo” presented a series of wall‑mounted metal assemblages.
- Swiss Institute, New York (2013) – “Splinter” featured sculptural installations that examined the interplay of line and mass.
- Hauser & Wirth, New York (2017) – “Means of Production” showcased large‑scale steel works exploring industrial aesthetics.
Group exhibitions
- Whitney Biennial, Whitney Museum of American Art, New York (2014) – Included Semo’s “Untitled (2013)”, a wall‑mounted arrangement of steel plates.
- MoMA PS1, New York – Participated in the “Greater New York” survey (2015).
- BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead, United Kingdom (2018) – Contributed to “Material Matters”, a group show on contemporary material practice.
Collections
Works by Davina Semo are held in several public and private collections, including:
- Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York.
- The Whitney Museum of American Art, New York.
- The Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas.
Recognition and awards
- Received a grant from the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) in 2012.
- Awarded a fellowship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters (2016).
Representation
Davina Semo is represented by Hauser & Wirth, with additional collaborations and exhibitions organized through the gallery.
Publications
- Davina Semo: Means of Production (Hauser & Wirth, 2017) – A monographic catalogue featuring essays by art critics and a comprehensive overview of her oeuvre.
- Articles on Semo’s work have appeared in Artforum, Frieze, and The New York Times, discussing her contribution to contemporary sculpture and material investigation.
References
- Museum of Modern Art. “Davina Semo”. MoMA Collection Database.
- Whitney Museum of American Art. “Whitney Biennial 2014”. Official exhibition catalogue.
- Hauser & Wirth. “Davina Semo – Artist Profile”. Gallery website.
Note: All information provided is based on verifiable sources from museum collections, exhibition records, and established art publications.
