Wallace Chan Bridges Venice and Shanghai with Dual Exhibition 'Vessels of Other Worlds'
To celebrate his 70th birthday, artist Wallace Chan, originally from Hong Kong, unveiled a dual exhibition titled 'Vessels of Other Worlds,' curated by James Putnam, in both Venice and Shanghai. In Venice, located at the Cappella di Santa Maria della Pietà during the Biennale, three sculptures crafted from titanium represent themes of birth, growth, and rebirth, drawing inspiration from sacred oils and Hieronymus Bosch's 'Garden of Earthly Delights.' The Shanghai exhibition, set to open on July 18, 2026, will showcase these sculptures at heights of seven, eight, and ten meters. Additionally, 'Wallace Chan: Mythos' will be on display at the Scala Contarini del Bovolo in Venice from April 4 to October 18, 2026, featuring soundscapes by Brian Eno that highlight the aquatic connection between the two cities.
Key facts
- Wallace Chan turned 70 in 2026.
- Dual exhibition 'Vessels of Other Worlds' runs in Venice and Shanghai.
- Venice venue: Cappella di Santa Maria della Pietà (Vivaldi's church).
- Shanghai venue: Long Museum (West Bund), opens July 18, 2026.
- Three titanium sculptures symbolize birth (yellow), growth (red), rebirth (blue).
- Sculptures inspired by holy oils and Bosch's 'Garden of Earthly Delights'.
- Monumental versions in Shanghai are 7, 8, and 10 meters tall.
- Concurrent show 'Wallace Chan: Mythos' at Scala Contarini del Bovolo, Venice, April 4–October 18, 2026.
- Chan is self-taught, began carving at 16, pioneered titanium use.
- This is Chan's fourth Biennale exhibition in Venice.
- Soundscapes by Brian Eno are featured.
- Exhibition curated by James Putnam.
Entities
Artists
- Wallace Chan
- James Putnam
- Antonio Vivaldi
- Hieronymus Bosch
- Brian Eno
- Giulia Bianco
- Federico Sutera
Institutions
- Cappella di Santa Maria della Pietà
- Long Museum
- Scala Contarini del Bovolo
- Fondaco Marcello
- Artribune
- Chiesa di Santa Maria della Pietà
- Venice Biennale
- Chapel of Santa Maria della Pietà
- Galerie Magazine
- Santa Maria della Pietà
- Elephant
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Shanghai
- China
- Hong Kong
- Chongqing
- Riva degli Schiavoni
- Per S. Marco
- Fuzhou
- Zhuhai
- Grand Canal
- Piazza San Marco