Main page contents

Carl Cheng: Nature Never Loses

Institute of Contemporary Art

        Coming UpNature Never Loses at Bonnefanten
Coming UpNature Never Loses at Museum Tinguely

Carl Cheng, Anthropocene Landscape 2 and Anthropocene Landscape 1, 2006, printed circuit boards and rivets on aluminum. Photo by Alex Boeschenstein, courtesy of The Contemporary Austin. — Carl Cheng, *Anthropocene Landscape 2* and *Anthropocene Landscape 1*, 2006, printed circuit boards and rivets on aluminum. Photo by Alex Boeschenstein, courtesy of The Contemporary Austin.

Carl Cheng: Nature Never Loses, 2024, installation view, The Contemporary Austin. Photo by Alex Boeschenstein. — *Carl Cheng: Nature Never Loses,* 2024, installation view, The Contemporary Austin. Photo by Alex Boeschenstein.

Carl Cheng/John Doe Co., Erosion Machine No. 4, 1969; plexiglass, metal racks and fittings, plastic, water pump, LED lights, black light, pebbles, erosion rocks, wood base; 15" x 25" x 9". Photo by Jeff McClane, courtesy of Carl Cheng and Philip Martin Gallery. — Carl Cheng/John Doe Co., *Erosion Machine No. 4*, 1969; plexiglass, metal racks and fittings, plastic, water pump, LED lights, black light, pebbles, erosion rocks, wood base; 15" x 25" x 9". Photo by Jeff McClane, courtesy of Carl Cheng and Philip Martin Gallery.

Carl Cheng/John Doe Co., Art Tool Paint Experiments, 1972; paint dipper in display box, wood, paint; 8" x 18" x 12". Photo by Ruben Diaz, courtesy of Carl Cheng and Philip Martin Gallery. — Carl Cheng/John Doe Co., *Art Tool Paint Experiments*, 1972; paint dipper in display box, wood, paint; 8" x 18" x 12". Photo by Ruben Diaz, courtesy of Carl Cheng and Philip Martin Gallery.

Recipient

Grant Year 2022

Grant Amount $360,000

Status Active

Updated March 31, 2025

A survey of Carl Cheng’s six-decade career prompts a restoration and reimagining of the Los Angeles-based artist’s cross-disciplinary works from the 1960s to the present. The exhibition showcases a range of works from Cheng’s oeuvre—including kinetic sculptures, photographs, drawings, and video—that address topics such as climate change, discrimination against Asian Americans, and the importance of making art accessible to varied publics. The project seeks to make more visible Cheng’s innovative interdisciplinary practice, while exploring different aspects of his interests, from Chinese American identity to the environment. A companion publication includes writing from Cheng on working in public spaces and reaching multiple communities.

Visit the project website .

The total grant amount represents project funding plus an additional 20% in unrestricted general operating support.

Primary EventsEvents & Exhibitions

Carl Cheng: Nature Never Loses Exhibition

Jan 18–Apr 6, 2025
Institute of Contemporary Art
118 S 36th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104

More info

Touring Exhibitions Nature Never Loses at Bonnefanten

May 10–Sep 28, 2025
Bonnefanten
Avenue Ceramique 250
6221 KX Maastricht
The Netherlands

Nature Never Loses at Museum Tinguely

Dec 3, 2025–May 10, 2026
Museum Tinguely
Paul Sacher-Anlage 1
4058 Basel, Switzerland

Nature Never Loses at The Contemporary Austin

Sep 6–Dec 8, 2024
The Contemporary Austin, Jones Center
700 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701

uestions of ractice

Carl Cheng: Nature Never Loses, 2025 installation view, Institute of Contemporary Art, University of Pennsylvania. Photo by Constance Mensh.

Interview

Artist Carl Cheng on the Nature of Being Contemporary

Recipient

Institute of Contemporary Art

Founded in 1963, the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) at the University of Pennsylvania has developed an international reputation as a preeminent venue for contemporary art and culture. ICA is widely known for exhibiting artists at critical points in their careers. It organized the first museum shows on the work of Andy Warhol, Laurie Anderson, Robert Indiana, and Agnes Martin. A non-collecting museum, ICA is also one of the only kunsthalles in America.

More info

News

$9.5 Million From The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage to Support 30 Philadelphia Organizations and 12 Artist Fellowships

Sep 19, 2022

Explore Connections

Artist Carl Cheng on the Nature of Being Contemporary

Interview Tradition & Translation

Mary Testa, Taylor Trensch, and Jordan Dobson in Night Side Songs at Philadelphia Theatre Company. Photo by Nile Scott Studios.

Director Taibi Magar on Night Side Songs and the Power of Sharing Stories

Michelle Lopez, Ballast & Barricades solo exhibition, 2019-20. Photo by Constance Mensh, courtesy of the artist.

Must-See Cultural Events in Philadelphia for Your 2025 Calendar

Pew Fellows Carmen Maria Machado and Vitche-Boul Ra. Photos by Neal Santos.

Fellow to Fellow: Carmen Maria Machado and Vitche-Boul Ra on Blending Genres and the Hidden Work of Being an Artist

Interview Cross-Disciplinary Practices

EgoPo Classic Theater, rehearsal for Ramayana with Papermoon Puppet Theatre and Kalanari Theatre Movement, 2023, Java, Indonesia. Photo courtesy of EgoPo.

Projects in Process: Wilma Theater and EgoPo on Creative Collaborations

Essay Co-Authorship & Collaboration

Nels Cline in performance at Royce Hall, Los Angeles. Photo by Phinn Sriployrung.

Guitarist Nels Cline on Musical Lineage

Video Tradition & Translation

Walking with Trane, Urban Bush Women. Photo by Gennia Cui.

Questions of Practice: Choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar on Art and Social Justice

Video Social & Community-Based Practices

Pew Fellows Candice Iloh and Armando Veve. Photos by Neal Santos.

Fellow to Fellow: Candice Iloh and Armando Veve Find Inspiration in Each Other’s Mediums

Interview Cross-Disciplinary Practices

Enrique Bostelmann, Portrait of Cora Flores, 1980, part of Mirages series.

Projects in Process: Discoveries in the Archives with Berman Museum and Japan America Society

Essay Legacy & Archives