Artist Ming Wong has created a new video installation titled "Dance of the Sun on the Water / Saltatio Solis in Aqua," currently on view at the National Gallery in London. The work reimagines the figure of Saint Sebastian, drawing inspiration from the museum's collection of classical paintings, including a 1475 altarpiece by Antonio and Piero del Pollaiuolo, as well as Derek Jarman's 1976 queer film "Sebastiane." Wong, the fifth artist selected for the National Gallery's Modern and Contemporary program, completed the piece during a one-year residency, exploring how the martyr's image has evolved across centuries and what it means in contemporary times.
This project matters because it bridges historical art with contemporary queer and postcolonial perspectives, questioning the relevance of martyrdom today. Wong's residency and resulting work highlight how major institutions like the National Gallery are engaging living artists to reinterpret canonical works, fostering dialogue between old masters and modern identity politics. The piece also underscores the enduring cultural significance of Saint Sebastian as a queer icon and a symbol of resilience during crises.