Wallace Chan, the Chinese artist known for his work across microscopic gemstone carving and monumental titanium sculpture, is presenting two concurrent exhibitions in Venice during the 61st Venice Biennale: “Vessels of Other Worlds” at the Pietà Chapel and “Mythos” at Scala Contarini del Bovolo. In an interview with ArtAsiaPacific, Chan discusses his artistic journey from traditional Chinese Buddhist carving to Western iconography, the spiritual resonance of the Pietà Chapel (where Vivaldi composed), and how his works explore themes of transformation, birth, growth, and rebirth through the lens of Buddhist philosophy and Catholic ritual.
This interview matters because it highlights Chan’s unique position as an artist bridging Eastern and Western traditions at a major global art event—the Venice Biennale. His ability to move between microscopic precision and architectural scale, and to engage with sacred spaces and cross-cultural symbolism, underscores broader conversations in contemporary art about spirituality, cultural exchange, and the limits of categorization. The article also offers insight into the thinking behind two high-profile exhibitions that coincide with the Biennale, making Chan a notable figure in this year's art world calendar.