Metropolitan Museum of Art commissions Petrit Halilaj, Lee Bul, and Tong Yang-Tze.
From left to right: Portrait of Petrit Halilaj by David Cruz Puebla. Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art; Portrait of Tong Yang-Tze by Te-Fan Wang. © At Ease Studio Limited. Courtesy of the artist; Portrait of Lee Bul by Yoon Hyungmoon. © Lee Bul. Courtesy of Studio Lee Bul.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has unveiled its 2024 contemporary art commissions, featuring the works of Petrit Halilaj, Lee Bul, and Tong Yang-Tze. These installations, reflecting diverse cultural narratives and artistic expressions, will transform three iconic spaces across the museum.
Kosovar artist Petrit Halilaj will bring a site-specific installation to The Met’s Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden in April 2024. Living and working between Germany, Kosovo, and Italy, Halilaj is currently represented by Mennour. His work, deeply rooted in his experiences as a child refugee during the Balkan wars, explores themes of identity, displacement, and queerness.
South Korean sculptor Lee Bul, represented by Lehmann Maupin and Thaddaeus Ropac, will create four unique sculptures for The Met’s Fifth Avenue facade, debuting in September 2024. Lee is renowned for her fusion of industrial and handcrafted materials, examining progress and disillusionment through her art.
Taiwanese artist Tong Yang-Tze will showcase two large-scale calligraphy works in The Met’s Great Hall in November 2024. Known for her innovative approach to traditional Chinese calligraphy, Tong creates work that challenges compositional norms, bridging classical and contemporary art. In 2011, Tong was granted the National Cultural Award, the highest honor for art in Taiwan.
These commissions represent The Met’s ongoing efforts to put global contemporary art in conversation with its historical collection.
