Liu Wei Debuts Met Facade Commission Speculation, His First New York Solo Work in a Decade
Liu Wei, an artist from Beijing, has introduced his work Speculation (2026) as part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Genesis Facade Commission, marking his first return to New York in a decade. This installation, displayed until June 7, 2027, showcases four sculptures at the museum's entrance, crafted from metal and fiberglass composites that draw on archaeological and architectural themes. The massive hands depicted suggest distorted mudras, emphasizing humanity's creative influence. The left sculpture incorporates stitched bovine rawhide, while the right takes on the appearance of an ornamental mantle. Curator Lesley Ma highlighted Liu's exploration of culture's transformative nature. This piece is the seventh in the Met facade series, following contributions from artists like Jeffrey Gibson and Wangechi Mutu.
Key facts
- Liu Wei's Speculation (2026) is the seventh Genesis Facade Commission at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- The installation is on view through June 7, 2027, flanking the Met's main entrance.
- It is Liu Wei's first New York solo presentation in ten years.
- The sculptures combine metal and fiberglass composites with reflective surfaces, modernist spheres, and biomorphic forms bound by nails, cords, ropes, and metal bars.
- Enormous hands at the base of the two primary sculptures resemble distorted mudras, referencing Hinduism and Buddhism.
- Curator Lesley Ma, of the Department of Modern and Contemporary Art, selected Liu for the commission.
- Visitors Shivani Jayant and Raja commented on the work from the Met's steps on September 17.
- Previous facade commission artists include Jeffrey Gibson, Lee Bul, Hew Locke, and Wangechi Mutu.
- The Met is breaking ground on its modern and contemporary Tang Wing and acquired 38 paintings by Chang Dai-chien (Zhang Daqian).
Entities
Artists
- Liu Wei
- Lesley Ma
- Jeffrey Gibson
- Lee Bul
- Hew Locke
- Wangechi Mutu
- Chang Dai-chien
- Zhang Daqian
- Shivani Jayant
- Raja
- Diego Rivera
- Andy Warhol
- Yang Fudong
- Zhang Peili
- Carol Bove
- Nairy Baghramian
- Max Hollein
- David Breslin
- Frida Escobedo
- Leonard Lauder
Institutions
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Hyperallergic
- Department of Modern and Contemporary Art
- China Academy of Art
- British Museum
- Louvre
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Guggenheim Museum
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art
- Venice Biennale
- Shanghai Biennial
- Lyon Biennale
- Sharjah Biennial
- Museo Guggenheim Bilbao
- Plataforma de Arte Contemporáneo
Locations
- Beijing
- China
- New York
- United States
- New Jersey
- New Delhi
- India
- Ancient Egypt
- London
- United Kingdom
- Paris
- France
- Hangzhou
- Seoul
- Cleveland
- Shanghai
- Venice
- Lyon
- Sharjah
- Nueva York
- Estados Unidos
- Quinta Avenida
- Bilbao
- España
- New York City