On February 19, 2025, the prestigious Salon 94 gallery in New York will open the doors to an exhibition unlike any other. This marks the debut solo show of Justine Wheeler Koons, the wife of renowned artist Jeff Koons. Titled Myth, the exhibition will feature 12 glazed stoneware sculptures that reflect her deep engagement with themes of mythology, identity, and personal history. These sculptures, created throughout 2024 and early 2025, are a deeply intimate exploration of Koons’ inner world and the myriad forces that have shaped her life and art. Each piece invites viewers to reflect on their own personal myths and the experiences that inform them.
The Personal Meets the Mythical
Salon 94 founder Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn provides an evocative preview of the exhibition, highlighting one standout piece—a blue-hued torso of Venus. This sculpture, irresistibly adorned with carved replicas of childhood toys, shaped cookies, and intricate beads, conveys a playful yet poignant reflection on innocence, desire, and the passage of time. Through this work, Koons blurs the boundaries between classical mythology and contemporary life, creating a striking contrast that both captivates and challenges the viewer. The sense of nostalgia interwoven through these playful, almost whimsical details sharply contrasts with the underlying complexity of the piece, resulting in a deeper narrative about human vulnerability and the art of self-preservation.
Unearthing Personal Narratives
In an accompanying essay, art critic William J. Simons delves deeper into the exhibition’s concept, describing Koons’ work as “personal archaeology.” The sculptures are not merely physical objects; they are emotional excavations. For Koons, each piece represents a search to uncover what lies beneath the surface, a journey to understand and make sense of the often hidden experiences that form the foundation of her identity. This self-reflective process reveals the complexities of being a woman, a mother, and an artist, offering a profound narrative of self-discovery. Koons’ ability to merge the deeply personal with the universally relatable is one of the defining features of her work, making the exhibition not just an artistic experience but an exploration of life itself.
Beyond the Studio: The Gus & Al Jewellery Line
Though Koons has stepped into the art world with this solo exhibition, her creative expression extends beyond traditional sculpture. In 2015, she co-founded a jewellery line, Gus & Al, with Alison Brokaw. The collection offers a striking contrast to her large-scale sculptures, with delicate and sophisticated designs. Gus & Al’s jewellery line has garnered attention for its thoughtful, handcrafted pieces, each infused with Koons’ distinctive approach to art. The collection is an intimate reflection of her creativity, presenting a different facet of her artistic sensibility while allowing her to engage in an entirely different form of expression outside of Jeff Koons’ massive artistic legacy.
Art as Healing: A Personal Journey
In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Koons shared her deeply personal journey back to art after experiencing postpartum depression following the birth of her youngest child. She spoke candidly about how, during this challenging period, returning to painting was a vital act of self-preservation. “For the first time ever,” she reflected, “I just knew I had to save myself somehow, and the only way I could think of was going back to the studio and painting so there was something of me left in the picture.” This return to creative work was transformative for Koons, helping her process her emotions and reclaim her sense of self. She described how photography became a means for capturing moments from her life, later using those images to create layered collages that tell personal stories. This healing journey through art is central to Koons’ process, allowing her to bridge the gap between personal experience and artistic expression.
Stepping into the Spotlight
As the art world eagerly anticipates her debut solo show, it is evident that Justine Koons is carving out a significant space for herself in contemporary art. The Myth exhibition is not just a visual collection of sculptures but an invitation to engage with the rich tapestry of life, memory, and the cultural myths we all construct. Each piece in the show invites viewers to reflect on their own personal myths, their experiences, and how they navigate the complexities of identity. With this debut exhibition, Koons steps boldly into the spotlight, asserting her own unique artistic voice. Myth is not merely an exploration of her creative world but an offering to the world—an exploration of memory, healing, and the profound narratives we all carry with us.
Written By: Lydia Kelly
Published: 18th February 2025