A rare and never-before-exhibited work by Matthew Wong will travel to Venice in time for next year’s Biennale, one of the most high-profile exhibitions in La Serenissima’s spring program.
The exhibition, “Matthew Wong: Interiors,” was curated by John Cheim, whose defunct New York gallery is one of the few remaining to display work from the artist’s short life.
Huang, who committed suicide in 2019 at the age of 35, is today remembered for the vivid colors he used in his depictions of snowy landscapes and still lifes. Huang, who spent much of his career in Canada, was on the cusp of greater recognition at the time of his death and has since become even more famous. His art currently hangs in the galleries of the Museum of Modern Art, and he is the subject of a traveling survey in 2022.
The 35-piece Venice exhibition will focus on “interior decoration, both physical and psychological,” according to a press release, and is organized by his foundation, which is run by his mother, Monita.
“The exploration of the interior has long been a central focus of modern and postwar art – from the domestic scenes of Matisse and Vuillard bursting with vibrant color and pattern to the emotionally charged spaces of Munch, Van Gogh and Duchamp,” Chem said in a statement. “Matthew synthesizes these traditions into a unique visual language, employing dense colors and expressive brushstrokes that transform rooms into vivid, non-naturalistic environments.”
Monita Wong said in a statement that the show “means a lot” to her. She also pointed out that Mr. Huang himself has a connection with Venice and once served as a docent at the Hong Kong Pavilion.
