The Wa Installs Unauthorized Dog Portraits at German Pavilion, Venice Biennale
French artist The Wa installed 48 Portraits, an unauthorized exhibition of 43 oil paintings of shelter dogs, at the German Pavilion in the Giardini della Biennale in Venice. The show appeared overnight on December 31, 2021, and opened January 1, 2022, with an indefinite duration described as 'outside the artist's control.' Each 55×70 cm painting, created over five years, depicts a dog awaiting adoption, accompanied by a biography sheet. The Wa, a Berlin-based public art veteran and outsider artist, stated he was proud the portraits found temporary residence in the venue for which they were created. This marks the first unauthorized exhibition ever presented at the German Pavilion since its opening in 1909. The title references Gerhard Richter's 1972 work shown at the Biennale.
Key facts
- The Wa is a French artist based in Berlin.
- The exhibition is titled 48 Portraits.
- It appeared overnight on December 31, 2021.
- It opened January 1, 2022 at the German Pavilion, Giardini della Biennale, Venice.
- The show includes 43 oil paintings (55×70 cm) of shelter dogs.
- Each painting is accompanied by a biography sheet.
- It is the first unauthorized exhibition at the German Pavilion since 1909.
- The title references Gerhard Richter's 1972 Biennale work.
Entities
Artists
- The Wa
- Gerhard Richter
Institutions
- German Pavilion
- Giardini della Biennale
- Biennale di Venezia
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Berlin
- Germany
- Dresden