Wu Jian'an's 'Metamorphoses' draws crowds at Rome's Baths of Diocletian

Chinese artist Wu Jian'an (born 1980, Beijing) is the subject of a solo exhibition at the Baths of Diocletian in Rome, part of the National Roman Museum. Titled 'Metamorphoses. L'arte che trasforma', the show explores connections between Chinese and Italian cultures, as well as Eastern and Western traditions. Curated by Umberto Croppi, President of the Academy of Fine Arts of Rome, the exhibition features works from several series including 'The Heaven of Nine Levels' (2008–2009), a monumental leather installation; 'The Eternal Cycle – Running Through the Seasons' (2024–2025), part of the 'Incarnations' series; 'Xíng Tiān' (2021–2022), inspired by a Chinese mythological hero; 'Masks' (2017–2018), comprising 360 leather sculptures; and 'Invisible Faces' (2019–present), five blown-glass sculptures. The exhibition draws on Ovid's 'Metamorphoses' and the ancient Chinese text 'Shan Hai Jing', with Taoist concepts of transformation (huàshēng) as a unifying theme. Wu Jian'an, who represented China at the 57th Venice Biennale in 2017, is the youngest artist to have a solo show at this venue. The exhibition runs until May 17, 2026, at the Baths of Diocletian, Via Enrico de Nicola, 78, Rome.