Lion Goddess, untamed and radiant, made for Miami's appetite for bold art. Discover the work and its editions
Miami: The City Where Art Week Never Really Ends
Every December, Art Basel Miami Beach turns the city into the centre of the art world. Collectors, curators and artists arrive from every continent, and the energy spills far beyond the fair: into hotel lobbies, rooftop parties, private collections and pop-up exhibitions across the city. Even Greater Miami & Miami Beach keeps a guide to the hotels hosting Art Basel events. But in Miami, the art doesn't leave when the fair does. It stays on the walls.
Zack Zublena's gold fine art photographs belong in this city of colour, light and spectacle. Real people, their bodies entirely covered in gold paint, emerge from deep black backgrounds like living sculptures, with a glamour that feels at home between Ocean Drive and Biscayne Bay.
A Michelangelo-inspired diptych, imagined for a penthouse above Biscayne Bay. Step closer to this work, or explore the photographs collectors choose first.
Gold, Pastel and Art Deco
Miami Beach has its own relationship with style. In the Art Deco Historic District, sculpted façades, neon and soft pastel tones turned an ageing neighbourhood into a world-famous landmark, a revival championed by the Miami Design Preservation League and designers such as Leonard Horowitz, whose colour palettes the MDPL still celebrates today.
Gold has always played its part in that glamour. At the Faena Hotel, Damien Hirst's gilded woolly mammoth skeleton stands in a glass vitrine by the sea, a work the artist discussed with the hotel's own Faena Aleph journal. In Miami, gold is not shy: it is a statement of joy, celebration and daring.
Mystic Messenger, a golden mask for a South Beach night. Enter the world of this photograph
Museums, Districts and Collectors
Miami's art scene has grown far beyond one week a year. On Biscayne Bay, the Pérez Art Museum Miami, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, continues to build its collection, including a major gift of works from founder Jorge M. Pérez announced by PAMM. In Allapattah, the Rubell Museum opens one of America's great private collections to the public, and in Wynwood, murals cover entire streets.
In the Miami Design District, luxury boutiques, design showrooms and public art share the same streets, and the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami sits at its heart. Readers of the Miami Herald, el Nuevo Herald, Ocean Drive and Miami New Times know that in this city, art, fashion and design are one conversation.
Hotels Made for Spectacle
Miami's hotels are among the most design-driven in the world, and art has become part of their identity. From the oceanfront palaces of Miami Beach to the towers of Brickell, guests expect spaces worth remembering and photographing.
- Oceanfront lobbies: large-format gold photography answers the brightness of the sea with warmth and presence.
- South Beach bars and rooftops: gold on black glows under evening light, perfect for nights that start late.
- Brickell and Downtown: in contemporary towers, a sculptural figure brings humanity to glass and marble.
- Suites and penthouses: a diptych above the bed gives each suite a signature.
- Spas and wellness floors: in a city devoted to the body, figures of strength and grace feel right at home.
Golden Draped Goddess, a triptych with the grace of an oceanfront lobby. Explore the triptych, sizes and editions
Islands, Waterfronts and Mediterranean Villas
Miami's most exclusive homes are built around water and light. On Star Island, Fisher Island and Indian Creek, waterfront estates offer grand rooms with views of the bay. In Coral Gables and Coconut Grove, Mediterranean Revival villas and lush gardens welcome art with classical gravitas. In Bal Harbour, Sunny Isles and Brickell, sky-high residences frame the ocean and the skyline. Each calls for art that holds its own against brilliant sunlight and endless views.
Tree of Eternal Gold, (THIS IS NO A.I! Video of the girls being painted in gold are available. The tree has been added afterward.) Rooted like the banyans of Coconut Grove. Bring this work into your space
Trusted at Scale
Zack Zublena's photographs have been installed across the interiors of more than 120 David Lloyd fitness and wellness clubs in the UK and Europe, where they are seen by more than one million members. For Miami hotel groups, residential developers and wellness brands, this experience shows how one visual language can unite many spaces. Read the David Lloyd story.
Practical Notes for Miami
- Salt air and humidity: on the water, sealed conservation framing protects prints from moisture and salt.
- Sunlight: Miami's light is intense all year. Keep works out of direct sun and choose UV-protective glazing.
- Hurricane season: hang valuable works on interior walls, away from windows, and use secure hanging systems.
- Lighting: warm, dimmable lighting makes the gold glow when the sun goes down.
A Golden Signature for Your Miami Space
Whether you are opening a hotel on Collins Avenue, designing a residence on Star Island or building a collection after Art Basel, the right photograph will become part of your space's story. Explore the Most Collected works, the Animal Fusion series and the Masquerade collection, or contact Zack Zublena to discuss a curated selection or a commission.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you protect fine art photography in Miami's climate?
Use sealed conservation framing and UV-protective glazing, keep works away from direct sun, and choose interior walls in homes and hotels exposed to salt air and storms.
What art suits a Miami Beach hotel or residence?
Art with glamour and presence. Gold figurative photography against a black background brings warmth and drama to bright, white interiors, and holds its own against ocean views.
Can Zack Zublena create work for a Miami hotel, spa or development?
Yes. From a single statement piece to a coordinated series across several spaces, an approach proven in more than 120 David Lloyd clubs.
Is the gold real?
The gold effect is created with gold body paint and carefully controlled lighting on real people, without digital effects or precious metals. 24K Gold available upon request.
Every photograph is crafted by hand, with real people, real gold body paint and real light. Discover how each work is made, by hand, not AI.
About the Artist
Zack Zublena is a French-American fine art photographer who has been painting dancers, yogis and athletes in gold since 2016, creating luminous figures that live between photography and sculpture. His work has been installed in more than 120 David Lloyd clubs across the UK and Europe.
Miami, through the lens of gold.
Wander through a curated selection of works imagined for the city's hotels, waterfront residences and collections. Enter the Miami collection.
