Valerie Brathwaite, the Trinidad-born sculptor who became a prominent figure in the Venezuelan art scene by creating abstract works that merged geographical landscapes with the human form, died on Monday, per artnews.com.
She was in her late 80s.
Born in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, in 1938, Brathwaite built a career that bridged European modernism and South American contemporary art. She began her formal education in London at the Hornsey College of Arts and the Royal College of Art, before studying under modernist sculptor Ossip Zadkine at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris between 1959 and 1964.
She relocated to Caracas, Venezuela, in 1969. The move was heavily influenced by the country’s vibrant art scene and a profound admiration for the sculptor Gego, who became a pivotal connection for Brathwaite’s integration into the local artistic community.
Working across ceramics, drawings, and mixed media, Brathwaite’s sculptures frequently utilised deep reds, lush greens, and cool blues reminiscent of the Caribbean natural environment. She often cited the flora and architecture of Caracas, alongside her upbringing on the Gulf of Paria, as central influences. Later in her career, she developed the “Soft Body Series”, using sewn and stuffed fabric to create organic, flesh-like shapes that challenged traditional artistic classifications.
Brathwaite achieved significant success in Venezuelan salon exhibitions during the 1970s. However, art historians note she often evaded broader international recognition for decades, as her aesthetic fell outside the mainstream modernist or conceptualist movements that dominated the era.
Her critical acclaim has resurged over the last few years. In 2025, the Museo Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MALBA) hosted a major survey of her work titled “A Flowing Path of Her Own,” and her pieces were featured in Brazil’s Bienal de Mercosul.
News of her passing was confirmed via her official social media channels. Following her death, MALBA issued a statement honouring Brathwaite as an artist of extraordinary sensitivity.
•Featured image: Valerie Brathwaite/Courtesy MALBA