Daniel Arsham Unveils Monumental Sculpture of Priscilla Chan Commissioned by Mark Zuckerberg
Renowned American artist Daniel Arsham has unveiled his latest creation—a striking sculpture that merges classical artistry with modern intent. Commissioned by Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO and founder of Meta, the sculpture immortalizes his wife, Priscilla Chan, in a grand and thought-provoking form.
Standing at an impressive 7 feet tall, the sculpture captures Chan mid-stride, rendered in the greenish hue of oxidized copper and finished with a dark teal coating. Her expression, both tender and resolute, is accentuated by a highly reflective silver cloak that dramatically flows around her, creating an almost wing-like illusion when viewed head-on. The sculpture is mounted on a base that echoes the movement of the garment with wave-like designs, also cast in oxidized copper.
Zuckerberg shared an image of the sculpture on Instagram, humorously captioned, “Bringing back the Roman tradition of making sculptures of your wife.” In the photo, Chan is seen casually standing beside her towering likeness, clad in a bathrobe and sipping from a mug. Chan responded with humor, commenting, “The more of me the better?”
The backstory of the sculpture was further revealed when journalist Gayle King asked Zuckerberg about the piece. He replied, “I just try to keep a steady stream of creative projects going. I’ve joked about making a sculpture of her for years and when the opportunity to work with Arsham came up I finally did it!”
Since its unveiling, the sculpture has sparked a range of reactions online. While some praise Arsham’s craftsmanship and the piece’s ambitious scale, others have critiqued it as a grotesque or excessive display of wealth. One Instagram commenter remarked, “This is the most billionaire thing to do ever.”
Arsham, who has previously collaborated with brands like Tiffany and Dior, is known for his affinity for antiquity and his ability to fuse traditional art with contemporary themes. His work often reimagines time, integrating classical elements into modern forms. “Most of the projects I work on are an invitation to reimagine your position within time,” Arsham explained in an interview with Ignant.
Zuckerberg and Chan’s relationship began at Harvard in 2003, culminating in their marriage in 2012. Beyond being the subject of this monumental artwork, Chan is a philanthropist, pediatrician, and former teacher. She and Zuckerberg share three daughters—Maxima, August, and Aurelia—highlighting their commitment to family alongside their influential careers.
