“Pregnant, naked, hair in dreadlocks and sporting a sparkling nose stud.” Does this description sound like your typical statue? Probably not. Let me tell you about the Picardo Venus statue.
The Picardo Venus is a bronze statue standing at Picardo Farm. It is in Seattle, Washington. The statue is known for its unique and controversial design.
The Picardo Venus controversy began when artist Steve Anderson created the statue. It is 2 1/4-foot-high. The statue was placed in the Picardo Farm P-Patch. This is a community garden next to a children’s play area.
Some people criticized the statue. They felt its depiction of a pregnant, naked woman was inappropriate. One gardener even said it glorified fertility too much for kids.
However, others found the statue to be a tasteful representation of fertility. They saw it as an artistic expression of the Earth mother. The statue is dedicated to Gaia. Gaia was a Greek goddess representing the Earth.
In January 2000, the Picardo gardeners held a vote to decide the statue’s fate. The vote was whether the statue should stay. Of the 72 respondents, 40 voted yes. Twenty-five voted no. Seven voted for alternatives. The alternatives included placing it in a less prominent place. The statue would stay.
After the vote, plans were made to build a trellis over the statue. Jasmine plants would surround it.
The Picardo Venus statue has been covered with garbage bags. It has been bedecked with flowers. It became a symbol of public art. It sparked debate about art, community, and values.
The statue was funded by garden members. The city’s Neighborhood Matching Fund also helped. The statue plus improvements to a picnic area and playground cost $10,000.
One gardener was so angry the statue would remain, she gave up her garden. She had tended it for 25 years. She felt it was a very obscene-looking thing to put in a playground. It was a very unseemly way of presenting a woman.
Despite the controversy, others embraced the Picardo Venus. They left offerings of vegetables at its base. This action was seen as a fun and harmless gesture.
The Picardo Venus remains a testament to the power of art. It challenges viewers to consider different perspectives. Whether you love it or hate it, the Picardo Venus is a conversation starter. It embodies the spirit of community and artistic expression. It sits in the heart of Seattle’s unique Picardo Farm. It continues to inspire debate and reflection.