All Photos By Gail

The artwork Siren (Kate) (2008) by Marc Quinn is a striking and well-known sculpture,  depicting supermodel Kate Moss in an unusual, contorted yoga pose — legs and arms twisted around her head. It’s part of Quinn’s exploration of beauty, celebrity, and contemporary idolatry.

What makes Siren especially famous is that it’s cast in solid gold, weighing about  110 pounds, making it one of the largest gold statues created since ancient Egypt.

Quinn has said that he chose Moss because she’s an icon of contemporary culture, representing both beauty and excess. The work ties into themes he’s explored in other pieces, like the fragility of the human body and society’s obsession with physical perfection and fame. Siren was unveiled at the British Museum, which added an extra layer of meaning by placing this modern idol among ancient artifacts.

Photographed in the Brooklyn Museum as part of the Exhibit, Solid Gold, On View Through July 6th, 2025.