Wallace Chan's 'Vessels of Other Worlds' to Debut in Venice and Shanghai for 2026 Biennale

Hong Kong artist Wallace Chan, a pioneer in titanium sculpture, announces his most ambitious project to date: 'Vessels of Other Worlds,' a dual exhibition curated by James Putnam. The show opens May 8, 2026, at the Cappella di Santa Maria della Pietà in Venice, coinciding with the 61st Venice Biennale. The Venice installation features titanium sculptures inspired by the Olea Sancta (three sacred oils of Catholic liturgy), symbolizing birth, growth, and rebirth. A constellation of suspended sculptures transforms the chapel into an immersive environment. From July 18 to October 25, 2026, the Long Museum in Shanghai's West Bund will host colossal vessels reaching 7–10 meters in height, including a habitable temple-like sculpture that allows visitors to enter and experience reflections reminiscent of Chan's 'Wallace Cut' technique. A video triptych on the altar of the Cappella della Pietà serves as a portal to the Shanghai works, creating a spatiotemporal link. Additionally, Scala Contarini del Bovolo in Venice will host 'Mythos,' a site-specific intervention. Chan's works are held in the British Museum and V&A. The project consolidates his position as a bridge between East and West, using water as a unifying theme.