Liu Wei to Create Four Monumental Sculptures for The Met's Fifth Avenue Facade
Liu Wei, a renowned Chinese artist, has been tasked with producing four large-scale sculptures for The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. This marks his inaugural major project in the United States and is also significant as it represents The Met's first commission from a Chinese artist since 2006. The installation, named 'Speculation', will be displayed on the museum's Fifth Avenue facade from September 17, 2026, to June 8, 2027. The sculptures will blend organic and geometric shapes, colors, and textures, drawing inspiration from historical architecture. A key element will be the human hand, symbolizing connection and transformation. This project is The Met's seventh contemporary facade commission, aligning with the anticipated Tang Wing for Modern and Contemporary Art set for 2030.
Key facts
- Liu Wei will create four monumental sculptures for The Met's Fifth Avenue facade.
- The commission is titled 'Speculation' and opens on 17th September 2026.
- It is Liu Wei's first major project in the United States.
- It is The Met's first commissioned work by an artist from China since 2006.
- The sculptures will occupy the four niches of the facade.
- The human hand is a recurring motif across the four sculptures.
- The commission is part of The Met's Genesis Facade Commission series.
- The Met's new Tang Wing for Modern and Contemporary Art is due to open in 2030.
Entities
Artists
- Liu Wei
- Wangechi Mutu
- Carol Bove
- Hew Locke
- Nairy Baghramian
- Lee Bul
- Jeffrey Gibson
- Max Hollein
- Lesley Ma
- David Breslin
Institutions
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- China Academy of Art
- Guggenheim Museum
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art
- Venice Biennale
- Shanghai Biennial
- Lyon Biennale
- Sharjah Biennial
Locations
- New York
- United States
- Beijing
- China
- Hangzhou
- Seoul
- Cleveland
- Shanghai
- Venice
- Lyon
- Sharjah