Black Sun

What to know

Black Sun is a monumental ring-shaped sculpture created by the renowned artist Isamu Noguchi in 1969. The work is carved from a single piece of Brazilian black granite and measures nine feet in diameter, serving as a standing aperture in the landscape. It was commissioned by the National Endowment for the Arts and selected by the Seattle Art Museum and the Municipal Art Commission in 1967 to serve as a major public work in Volunteer Park. Noguchi's design reflects his deep interest in circular forms and outdoor environments, drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese gardens. The sculpture is positioned on the eastern edge of Volunteer Park's man-made reservoir, directly across from the Seattle Asian Art Museum. This specific placement allows the inner circle of the artwork to focus the viewer's gaze on a panoramic view of downtown Seattle, the Puget Sound, and the Olympic Mountains beyond. Isamu Noguchi had a personal connection to the city long before this commission. As a thirteen-year-old, he passed through Seattle on his way to a school in Indiana, an early encounter with the Pacific Northwest that preceded his return to the city as a world-famous sculptor. The work was eventually donated to the City of Seattle through the Seattle Foundation with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Visitor tips

• Line up the Space Needle in your camera frame through the sculpture's opening for a popular local photo.
• Visit during a clear day to fully appreciate the panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound.
• Allow time to walk across the reservoir to the Seattle Asian Art Museum nearby.

Nearby context

Located in the heart of Volunteer Park, Black Sun sits on the eastern edge of the park's man-made reservoir, placing it in a close relationship with the Seattle Asian Art Museum.