Metropolitan Museum Announces Artist Selected for 2026 Facade Commission
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has announced an exciting new commission for its prestigious Facade Commission series, featuring renowned Chinese artist Liu Wei. Scheduled to debut in fall 2026, Wei will create four large-scale sculptures that will grace the museum’s iconic Fifth Avenue facade through June of the following year. This initiative is part of The Met’s tradition of inviting contemporary artists to engage with its historic architecture and collections, fostering a dialogue between past and present.
Liu Wei, a Beijing-based artist known for his thought-provoking installations, will explore themes of urbanization and modernity in his upcoming project. His unique artistic style is showcased through unconventional materials and concepts, such as creating architectural landmarks using edible dog chews. Wei’s commission for The Met marks his first major institutional exhibition in the United States.
The Met’s Facade Commission series, launched in 2019, has featured artworks by renowned artists from around the world, each reimagining the museum’s classical architecture with a contemporary lens. Liu Wei’s project follows in the footsteps of previous artists like Wangechi Mutu, Nairy Baghramian, and Lee Bul. Currently, Jeffrey Gibson’s bronze sculptures symbolizing Indigenous culture grace the museum’s facade, set to remain on display until June 2026.
Wei’s career began during China’s Cynical Realism movement in the early 1990s, and he has participated in numerous international exhibitions, including the 51st Venice Biennale and the Shanghai Biennale. His work is celebrated for its rawness and refinement, and curators eagerly anticipate how he will challenge expectations for public sculptures at The Met.
The upcoming installation promises to be both a challenge and a blessing for Liu Wei, as he prepares to engage with the legacy of human civilization through this prestigious commission. With his compelling artistic vision, Wei is set to captivate audiences and continue the meaningful dialogue between history and contemporary art.