As the art world prepares for another milestone moment, multidisciplinary artist Evelyn Taocheng Wang has been named the recipient of the prestigious Wolfgang Hahn Prize 2024. Sponsored by Museum Ludwig in Cologne, the prize honors established contemporary artists who are internationally recognized but not yet fully celebrated in Germany. Wang’s win marks the 31st anniversary of this coveted award.
The ceremony will take place in November during the Art Cologne art fair, a pivotal event in the international art calendar. Wang will receive €100,000 (approximately $105,000) from Museum Ludwig’s member donations, a sum dedicated to acquiring her work for the museum’s permanent collection. Additionally, the institution will host a solo exhibition of her work, accompanied by a comprehensive catalogue.
Born in Chengdu, China, in 1981, Wang now resides in Rotterdam. Her artistic practice spans drawing, painting, video, installation, and performance, blending traditional Chinese art forms with contemporary Western aesthetics. Wang’s work draws inspiration from classical fairy tales, colonial history, and queer theory, providing a deeply personal exploration of identity, authenticity, and ethnicity.
Evelyn Taocheng Wang’s work is touching because it breaks with the abstract and detached conventions of fine art, her intimate and non-conformist approach transforms traditional Chinese techniques into deeply personal commentaries on Western culture, exploring themes of migration, sexuality, and cultural identity.
– said guest juror Susanne Titz.
Wang’s contributions to the art world are extensive. She has presented solo exhibitions at renowned institutions such as the Dordrechts Museum in the Netherlands, the Rockbund Art Museum in Shanghai, and the Kunstverein für die Rheinlande und Westfalen in Düsseldorf. Most recently, she participated in the Sixtieth Venice Biennale, earning international acclaim for her thought-provoking and visually arresting works.
The Wolfgang Hahn Prize has a storied history of recognizing influential contemporary artists, including Cindy Sherman, Kerry James Marshall, and Haegue Yang. Wang’s addition to this illustrious list further solidifies her place in the global art narrative.
For art enthusiasts, Wang’s upcoming solo exhibition at Museum Ludwig promises an opportunity to engage with her dynamic and innovative practice firsthand. As November approaches, the anticipation builds—not just for the celebration of Wang’s achievements but also for the conversations her art will undoubtedly inspire.
Learn more about Evelyn Taocheng Wang and her trailblazing artistry at Museum Ludwig.