At the Baths of Diocletian in Rome, a show by a Chinese artist is a hit. The curator explains why

Chinese artist Wu Jian'an (born 1980, Beijing) is the subject of a major solo exhibition at the Baths of Diocletian in Rome, part of the Museo Nazionale Romano. Titled "Metamorphoses. L'arte che trasforma," the show explores connections between Chinese and Italian cultures, as well as broader Eastern and European traditions. Curated by Umberto Croppi, president of the Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma, the exhibition features works such as the monumental leather installation "The Heaven of Nine Levels" (2008–2009) and the series "The Eternal Cycle – Running Through the Seasons" (2024–2025), which combines intricate paper cutouts, silk, wax, and cotton thread. The artist, who represented China at the 57th Venice Biennale in 2017, was inspired by the ancient Roman spaces, creating a dialogue between his contemporary pieces and the site's classical mosaics and architecture.

The exhibition matters because it represents a rare and youthful solo show at the historic Baths of Diocletian, highlighting a growing institutional interest in cross-cultural artistic exchange. By juxtaposing ancient Roman artifacts with Wu's mythologically-infused works, the show underscores the enduring relevance of classical themes in contemporary art and fosters a dialogue between Eastern and Western artistic traditions. The success of the exhibition also signals the increasing prominence of Chinese contemporary artists in prestigious European venues, reflecting broader shifts in the global art world toward inclusivity and intercultural dialogue.