Wallace Chan's Dual-City Art Extravaganza Unveiled

Artist Wallace Chan has inaugurated "Vessels of Other Worlds," a monumental dual-city exhibition spanning continents. The first installment opened on May 8, 2026, at the Chapel of Santa Maria della Pietà in Venice, a familiar venue for Chan.

This ambitious project delves into themes of life cycles, Buddhist philosophy, Catholic rituals, and futuristic concepts. It is partly inspired by a 16th-century painting and Chan's previous works, offering layered meanings.

The Venice exhibition centers on three five-foot titanium sculptures. Larger, approximately 33-foot versions will be displayed at Shanghai's Long Museum starting July 18, 2026. Both exhibitions will remain open to the public until October.

Curated by James Putnam, the installations prominently feature oil and water, symbolizing concepts like the Catholic ritual of Olea Sancta and reincarnation. Chan's interpretation draws from both Eastern and Western religious and cultural elements.

Another significant inspiration is Hieronymus Bosch's 1490-1510 painting, "The Garden of Earthly Delights," noted for its vibrant colors and forward-looking imagery that resonated with Chan's vision.

The three vessels in Venice represent birth, growth, and rebirth, symbolized by yellow, red, and blue hues. Water imagery, a key element, symbolizes reincarnation and acts as a conceptual link between Venice and Shanghai, both water-defined cities.

Technology further unifies the two locations, with live video streams connecting Chan's workshop in China to the Venice exhibition. Screens display the monumental vessels, visually linking Venice and Shanghai in real-time.

Details within the sculptures include titanium baby figures and forms like dolphins and ladybugs. Gourds crown each vessel, symbolizing longevity. These works also reference Chan's prior Venice projects like "Titans" and "Totem."

Chan has also launched a second, site-specific exhibition called "Mythos" at the Scala Contarini del Bovolo in Venice. This installation features outdoor titanium sculptures and indoor works, drawing inspiration from Tintoretto's "Mercury and the Graces."

This exhibition offers shifting perspectives as visitors ascend the tower. Suspended sculptures create light and shadow play, accompanied by quartz crystals and soundscapes of titanium being worked.

Chan, who gained international acclaim as a high jewelry artist, also continues to create jewels. His "Intertwining Love" earrings, featuring titanium, sapphires, rubies, and diamonds, were recently worn by Nita Ambani at an event in Venice.

Approaching his 70th birthday, Chan expresses a youthful energy and curiosity, stating, "I feel perhaps you can see these works are probably created by someone more mature. But, but to me I feel like a child."

"Vessels of Other Worlds" runs in Venice until October 18, 2026, and in Shanghai until October 25, 2026. "Mythos" in Venice concludes on October 18, 2026.