Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong is a New York-based artist working at the boundary of art and architecture.
Cherylâs work investigates the transformation of shared space over time. She explores how spaces can perform on varying scales, ranging from smaller scales such as shelters and surfaces that accommodate the body, to larger spaces that extend their reach to entire environments. Her work questions the social implications of space through architectural interventions, in which harnessing public interaction is integral. When physical elements in architectural spaces perform and change, they also dictate changes in behavior — How do we perceive and react to difference? How do we register change over time? How can race, sex and politics become embedded in architecture and how is space negotiated? Cherylâs creative process is a crossover between digital drawing (using tools such as mapping, architectural drafting software and 3D modeling), visual experiments and the construction of spaces. Her work has been featured in Domus Magazine, Dezeen, Designboom, Los Angeles Times, Triple Canopy, Bijutsu Techo, Dwell, Interior Design Magazine, Arc Magazine, Boston Art Review, GSAPP Books and Design Observer.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Cheryl received her B.A. in Art and Italian at the University of California at Berkeley, studied sculpture at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera (Milan, Italy) and earned her Master of Architecture from Columbia University GSAPP. Cheryl has lived and worked in Milan, Hong Kong, Berlin, New York, Berkeley, Macau and Bangkok. Cherylâs work has been commissioned by the New York State Thruway Authority, New York City Parks Department, City of Inglewood, City of Calgary, Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy, and by the Washington DC Government – Percent for Art program, amongst others. Her work has been exhibited at New York Foundation for the Arts, the Istanbul Design Biennial, Usagi Gallery, the Venice Biennale of Art, BMW-Guggenheim Lab, Columbia University GSAPP, Berkeley Art Museum, Museo della Permanente (Milan, Italy) amongst others. Cheryl has completed residencies with The Laundromat Project, Triangle Arts Association, Taliesin West, The City of Calgary / The New Gallery and has been a recipient of the Columbia GSAPP Incubator Prize. She has been a visiting critic at Columbia University and the Parsons School of Design and a professor at the International Program in Design & Architecture (INDA) at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. She is a co-founding partner of experiential design studio WITH WITH.
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++++++++ EDUCATION
+ Master of Architecture
Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation (GSAPP), New York, NY
+ Bachelor of Arts (Art + Italian Studies)
University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California
Commencement Class Speaker (Department of Art)
+ (Sculpture) Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera, Milan, Italy
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++++++++ AWARDS / HONORS / GRANTS
Asian Women Giving Circle Grant (2023)
GSAPP Incubator Prize – Columbia University, Graduate School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation (2022)
The Laundromat Project Creative Action Fund (2021, 2023)
Queens Art Fund Community Art Grant (2019)
City Parks Foundation – Parks Build Healthy Communities Grant (2019)
New York City Parks – Uniqlo Park Expressions Grant (2017-2018)
New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) Finalist (2016)
Inglewood Growing Artists Project Grant (City of Inglewood, 2015)
Gatsby Charitable Foundation Grant (Columbia University, 2010)
William Kinne Travel Fellowship (Columbia University GSAPP, 2009)
Deanâs Honor Award (UC Berkeley, 2005)
Highest Distinction in General Scholarship (UC Berkeley, 2005)
GianPaolo Biasin Memorial Scholarship (UC Berkeley, 2005)
Edward Frank Kraft Scholarship Prize (UC Berkeley, 2002)
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++++++++ RESIDENCY / WORKSHOPS / FELLOWSHIPS
+ Our Favorite Chinatown Buildings – Architecture Workshop // with support from The Laundromat Project (New York, NY)
+ The Laundromat Project Create Change Residency // 2022 Create Change Artist-in-Residence (New York, NY)
+ Calgary Chinatown Artist Residency // The City of Calgary and The New Gallery // 2020-2021 Artist-in-Residence (Calgary, Canada)
+ The Laundromat Project Fellowship // 2019 Create Change Fellow (New York, NY)
+ Dumbo – Two Trees Cultural Space Residency // 2018 – 2021 & 2022 – 2024 (Brooklyn, NY)
+ Triangle Arts Association // 2017 Artist-in-Residence (New York, NY)
+ Vermont Studio Center // 2016 Artist-in-Residence (Johnson, VT)
+ Taliesin West // Spring 2015 Artist-in-Residence (Scottsdale, AZ)
+ Office US Outpost // 2014 Venice Biennale of Architecture – The U.S. Pavilion (Bangkok, Thailand & Venice, Italy)
+ Prototyping the City: Torino World Design Capital Pavilion (Columbia University GSAPP, AA, 2008)
+ Life in Space 3 Conference (Studio Olafur Eliasson, Columbia University GSAPP, MOMA / Berlin, Germany, 2008)
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++++++++ PRESENTATIONS
+ Chinatown Futures – Hosted by 1882 Foundation + National Association of Landscape Architects. Presentations and discussion with Ernie Wong of Site Design Group, Yin Kong of Think!Chinatown and Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong, moderated by Jenn Low, May 3, 2023. View the event online here.
+ 2022 GATHER – Panel Discussion with the 2022 Artists-in-Residence – Hosted by the Laundromat Project and moderated by Kemi Ilesanmi, November 9, 2022.
+ 2021-2022 GSAPP Incubator Prize Presentations + Discussion – Hosted by Columbia University GSAPP and moderated by Leslie Kuo, September 16, 2022. View the event online here.
+ Virtual Studio Visit with Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong – Hosted by The Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy and Pao Arts Center, March 3, 2022. View the event online here.
+ Virtual Launch of REFLECTIVE URBANISMS: Mapping Calgary Chinatown – Hosted by The New Gallery, January 27, 2022. View the event online here.
+ REGARDLESS: Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong and Juan SĂ nchez – Dumbo Open Studios event, May 21, 2021
+ WHOSE CHINATOWN? A Virtual Conference: Woven Threads Panel Discussion – moderated by Su Ying Strang, April 11, 2021
+ Space + Power – Artist Lecture + Undergraduate Workshop || Intro to Performance Art by Prof. Allana Clarke at Williams College, Feb. 27, 2020
+ Calgary Chinatown Artist Residency: Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong – Artist-in-Residence Talk hosted by The New Gallery at the Calgary Chinese Cultural Center, Calgary, Canada, Feb. 15, 2020
+ Boundary Narratives: Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong & Carrie Dickason – Artist Lecture @ Taliesin West, Feb. 11, 2015
+ The Dimension of Food – Pecha Kucha New York City, May 5, 2012.
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++++++++ PUBLIC ART COMMISSIONS
+ BLOOM (Forthcoming 2024). Permanent public sculpture commissioned by the Washington DC Government, Department of General Services, Percent for Art. Francis Stevens School Without Walls, Washington, DC.
+ TRIBUTE (Forthcoming 2024). Permanent public sculpture commissioned by the Washington DC Government, Department of General Services, Percent for Art. Garfield Elementary School, Washington, DC.
+ INTERTWINED! (2023). Permanent public sculpture commissioned by the Washington DC Government, Department of General Services, Percent for Art. Smothers Elementary School, Washington, DC.
+ COMMON GROUND (2023-2024) Pavilion commissioned by Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, Two Trees and the Van Alen Institute. The Plaza at 300 Ashland, Brooklyn, NY. Also temporarily installed at Industry City, Brooklyn, NY and permanently installed at the Van Alen Institute office.
+ AZIMUTH (2022-2023). Public art pavilion installed with the support of the Chinatown BID and New York City Parks. Pike Street Mall, Manhattan Chinatown, NY.
+ ASSEMBLY (2022). Permanent public sculpture commissioned by ArtsWestchester. Renaissance Plaza and ArtsWestchester, Downtown White Plains, NY.
+ A CARTOGRAPHER’S JOURNEY (2022). Permanent public sculpture commissioned by the District of Columbia, Department of General Services, Percent for Art. Goding Elementary School, Washington, DC.
+ YEAR OF THE TIGER (2022-2023). Public art pavilion commissioned by the Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy in partnership with the Pao Arts Center. Mary Soo Hoo Park, Boston, MA.
+ MERIDIAN (2021). Public art pavilion commissioned by the Golden Triangle BID. Pennsylvania Avenue Pocket Park, Washington, DC.
+ PORTAL (2021). Permanent public sculpture commissioned by the Washington DC Government, Department of General Services, Percent for Art. Jefferson Middle School, Washington, DC.
+ CURRENT (2020). Permanent public sculpture commissioned by the New York State Thruway Authority. With lighting design by Arup. Installation at the Westchester terminus of the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge (Tappan Zee Bridge), Tarrytown, NY.
+ POOLTIME (2019-2020). Public art pavilion, installed by Ederle Terrace, north end of Meadow Lake in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. With the New York City Parks and the support of Queens Council on the Arts and City Parks Foundation. Queens, NY.
+ TERRACE (2018). Permanent garden-pavilion at New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Marble Hill Houses. Commissioned by OSS Project, in collaboration with NYCHA. Bronx, NY
+ LIGHTWELL (2018). Permanent public sculpture commissioned by the Washington DC Government, Department of General Services, Percent for Art. Marie Reed School, Washington, DC.
+ CONSTELLATION (2017-2018). Public art pavilion commission with New York City Parks and Uniqlo Park Expressions. Seward Park, Lower East Side, New York, NY.
+ INGLEWOOD URBANSTAGE: Construction as Performance (2015). Public art pavilion commissioned by the Inglewood Department of Parks & Recreation. Inglewood City Hall North Plaza, Los Angeles, CA.
+ COIR Transformative Public Space (2014). Permanent community public pavilion, supported by Chulalongkorn University. Kadeejeen community, Bangkok, Thailand.
+ ESSERE (2003). Installation at the U.C. Berkeley campus + exhibition at Worth Ryder Gallery. Berkeley, CA.
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++++++++ SELECTED EXHIBITIONS/PROJECTS
+2023
CROSSING BORDERS. Group exhibition at ArtsWestchester Gallery, curated by Adam Chau. White Plains, NY.
+ 2022
RENDERING REAL. New media exhibition at the Asian American International Film Festival 2022, curated by Hai-Li Kong and David Koh. New York, NY.
REFLECTIVE URBANISMS: Mapping New York Chinatown. The Laundromat Project Create Change Artist Residency project, with support from the Columbia GSAPP Incubator Prize.
+ 2021
REFLECTIVE URBANISMS: Mapping Calgary Chinatown. Calgary Chinatown Artist Residency project with The City of Calgary & The New Gallery, Calgary, Canada.
ZIGGY at Linger With Calgary Chinatown. Public art installation invited by artist Teresa Tam, in conjunction with the Calgary Chinatown Artist Residency.
MUSINGS FROM CHINATOWN. Digital project commissioned by The City of Calgary & The New Gallery, Calgary, Canada.
RESILIENCE: Connecting Chinatowns Across North America â in conjunction with WHAT REALLY DEFINES US? âŚITâS COMPLICATED (Contâd). 3-person exhibition at Gallery 456. New York, NY.
+ 2020
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? 3-person exhibition at LES Gallery, The Clemente. New York, NY.
WHAT REALLY DEFINES US? …IT’S COMPLICATED. 3-person exhibition at Gallery 456. New York, NY.
+ 2019
WORK PLAY MONEY LOVE WHAT IT IS WHAT COULD BE BOTH NEITHER ART DESIGN. Group exhibition at Northern-Southern Gallery. Austin, TX.
THE CHAIR SHOW. Group exhibition at ArtsWestchester Gallery. Westchester, NY.
BRONX THEN, BRONX NOW, BRONX FOREVER: A MIXTAPE OF FAVORITE COMMUNITY SPACES. Group project with The Laundromat Project Fellowship. Concrete Plant Park, Bronx, NY.
POOLTIME COLLECTION… And Other Worldly Narratives. 2-person exhibition at One Brooklyn Bridge Park. Brooklyn, NY.
+ 2018
STARLIGHT PARK PT.2: Designing a 21st Century World Expo of Science, Art and Technology at Hells Gate Gallery. Bronx, NY.
+ 2017
ITâS HAPPENING: Celebrating 50 Years of Public Art in NYC Parks. Exhibition and participatory spatial drawing workshop at Central Park. New York, NY.
PINCH, FOLD, CUT, LINE. A collaborative project by Henna-Riikka Halonen and Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong. Installation/environment and performance at Triangle Arts Association. Brooklyn, NY.
INFORMALITY. Group exhibition curated by David C. Terry at the NYFA Gallery. New York, NY.
+ 2016
ARE WE HUMAN? ‘Inglewood Urbanstage’ video at the Istanbul Design Biennial. Curated by Beatriz Colomina and Mark Wigley. Istanbul, Turkey.
EIGHTEEN. Three-person exhibition at Usagi Gallery. New York, NY.
FORIS, FORAS, FORUM. Group exhibition at Los Angeles Center for Digital Art. Los Angeles, CA.
+ 2015
ONLY TIME CAN TELL. Solo exhibition. Taliesin West, Arizona.
IN SITU: A project by Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong and Clifford Owens. Performance at the SVA Masters in Curatorial Practice project space. New York, NY.
+ 2014
OFFICE US Outpost. The United States Pavilion, The Venice Biennale: 14th International Architecture Exhibition
ASHORE Pavilion. Transformative public pavilion. Bang Saen Beach, Thailand.
+ 2012
SIX ACTS: A Gastronomic Architectural Performance at GD Cucine. New York, NY.
SCOPE New York 2012. Chashama booth. New York, NY.
+ 2011
SEVEN ACTS: A Gastronomic Architectural Performance at GD Cucine. New York, NY.
A.B.C. Architectural puppetry performance at Bring to Light Festival. Brooklyn, NY.
A.B.C.Architectural puppetry performance at the BMW-Guggenheim Lab NYC. New York, NY.
PASSION. Installation at Chashama Gallery. New York, NY.
+ 2010
PLACE/NONPLACE. Exhibition/Performance. Ganzo Space. Florence, Italy.
EIGHT ACTS: A Gastro-architectural performance. Donghia Materials Library at Parsons School of Design. New York, NY.
TRANS SIBERIA. Exhibition. Studio X NY. New York, NY.
FRONTIER FACADES. Interactive web project for Triple Canopy
+ 2009
THE NORDIC PAVILION // THE DANISH PAVILION â âThe Collectorsâ / The Venice Biennale: 53rd International Art Exhibition. Venice, Italy
Pavilion intervention design and exhibition of architectural drawings. Under the artistic direction and curation of Elmgreen & Dragset. Venice, Italy.
+ 2008
COLORS OF THE BRAIN. Installation at Columbia University GSAPP. New York, NY.
(3-part conference between Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), Columbia University GSAPP, Studio Olafur Eliasson)
+ 2006
THE DUMMY PROJECT. Performance / Installation. Hong Kong.
+ 2005
REVOLUTIONS. Group Exhibition at Spazio Marangoni. Milan, Italy.
+ 2004
ATTRACTION REPULSION. Group exhibition at Spazio del commune; v. San Marco 45. Milan, Italy.
FRAMMENTI. Group Exhibition at Il Cavedio. Varese, Italy.
SALON 1°. Group Exhibition at Museo della Permanente. Milan, Italy.
+ 2003
VOLUME. Installation and Group Exhibition at Berkeley Art Museum, Berkeley, California.
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++++++++ SELECTED PRESS / BIBLIOGRAPHY
âFuture Talks by RTF: In conversation with Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong.” Rethinking The Future. October 2023.
âCOMMON GROUND.â Arc Magazine. April / May 2023 issue, digital and print.
“This new colorful installation in downtown Brooklyn is the perfect Instagram shot.” Anna Rahmanan. Timeout Magazine. March 3, 2023.
“Colorful New Art in Downtown Brooklyn Encourages Reflection and Play.” Brooklyn Magazine. March 2, 2023.
“Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong: Light and Shadows.” Hua Xi. Guernica Magazine. January 30, 2023.
“Linda Mae’s: An Architectural Past Life.” C Magazine, Issue 153: Chinatown. Winter 2022-2023.
“6 Best Public Art Installations in NYC, January 2023.” Irene Madrigal. Untapped New York. January 2, 2023.
“Chinese American artist reflects on purpose of public art.” Nadia Galindo. News 12. May 23, 2022.
“Pao Arts Center celebrates five years, new installation comes to Mary Soo Hoo Park.” Lex Weaver. The Boston Scope.
May 18, 2022.
“Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong Creates Sites for Rest and Play in Bostonâs Chinatown.” Lian Parsons-Thomason. Boston Art Review.
May 10, 2022.
“Map quest: Artist aims to preserve Chinatownâs history via digital models in 3D.” Dashiell Allen. The Village Sun.
March 5, 2022.
“Artist reveals architectural history of Calgary’s Chinatown with new virtual map.” Tarini Fernando. CBC News. January 27, 2022.
“Mapping Chinatown.” Live radio interview on CBC’s Calgary Eyeopener with David Gray. January 27, 2022.
“More than 90 years of Chinatownâs history mapped in 3D.” Aryn Toombs. Livewire Calgary. January 27, 2022.
“Spotlight: CURRENT.” Arc Magazine. August/September 2021 issue #123.
“Current light sculpture on the Hudson responds to movements of passersby.” Jane Englefield. Dezeen. July 20, 2021.
“Transforming Our Streets and the Public Realm Through Art and Programming.” Conversation with Carolyn Sponza, Leona Agouridis, Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong. Gensler Design Exchange Podcast. May 2021.
âNorth American Chinatown representatives share pandemic economic recovery stories.â World Journal. January 16, 2021.
“Coming Across Culture High Across the Hudson.” The River Journal. September 15, 2020 and September 2020 issue.
“Artists Discuss Their Work At Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, âThe High Line Of The Hudson Valley’.” Tony Aiello. CBS Channel 2 – New York. July 27, 2020.
“Meet the artists behind the Cuomo bridge path public art.” Tania Savayan. The Journal News – Lohud.com, July 27, 2020.
“Public Art on the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge Path.” New York State Thruway Authority. July 2020.
“Recycled Steel Gives a Nod to the Old Tappan Zee.” Michelle Falkenstein. ArtsNews – ArtsWestchester. July 2020 issue.
July 2020 Full Issue Here.
“The Current Keeps on Moving.” Kathleen Reckling. ArtsNews – ArtsWestchester. June 2020 issue.
June 2020 Full Issue Here.
“Artist Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong Brings ‘Current’ Into Being.” Michelle Falkenstein. ArtsNews – ArtsWestchester. June 2020 issue.
“Artists on Coping: Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong.” Art Spiel. May 18, 2020.
“Good Luck Candies Transformed into Roman Columns: Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong Explores Immigrant Identity.” World Journal. February 29, 2020.
“Three Artists’ Exhibition Opening at 456 Art Gallery.” Sing Tao USA. February 29, 2020.
“Exploring Immigrant Identity: An Exhibition of Three Women Artists in Chinatown.” The China Press. February 29, 2020.
“Exclusive: Cuomo taps 8 NY artists whose works will grace new bridge.” The Journal News – Lohud.com, January 31, 2020.
“WORK PLAY MONEY LOVE: At Northern-Southern, an Exhibition Examines Push and Pull of Designer-Artist Life.” Sightlines. December 4, 2019.
“New York’s Best Public Art Installations This Season.” Curbed New York. September 23, 2019.
“A Garden Grows in Marble Hill.” Riverdale Press. September 9, 2018.
“Art Installation by Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong Debuts in Seward Park.” World Journal. July 3, 2017.
Kunigami, Naoko. “New York Studio Visit: Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong.” Bitecho – Bijutsu Techo. November 2015.
Inglewood Public Art Collection. Inglewood Urbanstage, 2015.
Culture Now: Museum Without Walls. Art, Architecture & History in the Public Realm. Inglewood Urbanstage, 2015.
“Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong: Inglewood Urbanstage”. Dialogue with Olivia Ramos. Work Untitled: Critical Dialectics. Issue #4: 2015. May 2015.
“Inglewood Urbanstage.” Inglewood Today. Week of March 26, 2015.
âInglewood Urban Stage: Construction as Performance,â at Inglewood City Hall. LA Times Datebook, by Carolina Miranda. Week of March 26 / April 3 / April 10 / April 17, 2015.
“100 Top Creatives Making a Difference: Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong.” Origin Magazine. Issue 23. April 2015.
âCOIR: A Transformative Mobile Public Space Made from Coconuts.â Designboom. September 2, 2014.
â8 Furniture Designs Made With Mind-Bending Materials.â Patrick Sisson. Dwell. September 8, 2014.
“Top Creatives: Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong.” Origin Magazine. Issue 11. March 2013.
“Dining at the Intersection of Architecture and Cuisine.” Matthew Powell. Interior Design Magazine. November 23, 2012.
“Dinner by Design: A Table with Secret Compartments, a Dining Room that Unfolds.” Kelsey Campbell-Dollaghan. Architizer. November 16, 2011
âRadical Urban Couture Pops Up in NY Tonight.” Kelsey Campbell-Dollaghan. Architizer. August 5, 2011.
“Building Happiness.” Kelsey Campbell-Dollaghan. Architizer. August 3, 2011.
âThe Girls With Narratives.â Yehuda Safran. PLACE/NONPLACE catalogue. January 2011.
“Trans Siberia.â The Studio-X New York Guide to Liberating New Forms of Conversation. Gavin Browning. GSAPP Books: 2010. Edited by Gavin Browning, with afterward by Mark Wigley.
âWarm Engine, Studiofeast and the case of the mysterious architecture-themed dinner party.â Elizabeth Thompson. Paper Magazine. April 2010.
âTrans Siberia.â The Brooklyn Rail. April 2010.
“Frontier Facades.” Triple Canopy. Issue 11. March 2011.
âTrans Siberia.â Gavin Browning. Places: The Design Observer. April 2010.
âThe New Circus.â Columbia University GSAPP Abstract 2009/2010.
âErasure.â Columbia University GSAPP Abstract 2008/2009.
âColors of the Brain.â Domus Magazine. July – August 2008, issue 916.
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++++++++ TEACHING
+ 2017 Parsons – The New School for Design, School of Constructed Environments, Dpt. of Architecture, New York, NY.
⢠3rd Year Undergraduate Design Studio (Spring 2017) – See student work here.
+ 2013 – 2014 INDA (International Program in Design & Architecture), Chulalongkorn University, Faculty of Architecture. Bangkok, Thailand.
⢠1st Year Undergraduate Design Studio (Spring 2013 / Fall 2013 / Spring 2014) – See student work here.
⢠2nd Year Undergraduate Design Studio
“Erotics of Architecture” – Housing Studio (Spring 2013) – See student work here.
“Domestic Current” – Housing Studio (Fall 2013) – See student work here.
⢠4th Year Undergraduate Design Studio
“The Architecture of Performance / The Performance of Architecture: Transformative Cultural Spaces in Shenzhen”
(Spring 2014) – See student work here.
⢠Summer Design Build
“COIR” Design Build Course (a mobile public space and material innovation/sustainable use of the coconut in Bangkok)
See student work here.
“ASHORE Pavilion” Design Build Course (a transformative public pavilion in Bang Saen Beach, Thailand)
See student work here.
+ 2011 University of Sao Josè. Macau, China.
Re/Creation (undergraduate design studio)
+ 2003 U.C. Berkeley Artsbridge America Scholar. Oakland, California.
Art curriculum and classes for local public school students.
See student work here.