exclusive film spotlights raúl de nieves' 'stained glass' mural for the whitney biennial

the 2017 whitney biennial is taking place from now through june 11, surveying american art across painting, installation, activism and video-game design. one of the most widely-celebrated commissions is an 18-panel, stained-glass-like mural by artist raúl de nieves that takes over the museum’s windowed façade. six floor-to-ceiling windows are covered in vivid motifs made from paper, wood, glue, tape, beads, and acetate sheets, forming a backdrop to the artist’s elaborately beaded sculpture series.

art21 — a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting audiences to the artistic process — has taken a behind-the-scenes look at raúl de nieves working on the installation. as part of the ‘new york close up’ digital series, the exclusive film explores the artist’s creative process and recounts the personal experiences reflected in his work.

the film explores the artist’s creative process and recounts his personal experiences

the art21 film reflects on de nieves’ personal background — unexpectedly moving from mexico to the united states at the age of nine — and how his own history has helped shaped his work today. ‘growing up in mexico was really magical because I got to see a lot of forms of celebration,’ describes the artist. ‘I got to experience death as a really young child. that’s what my work is about: it’s like seeing the facets of happiness and sadness all in one place.’

art21 takes a behind-the-scenes look at raúl de nieves working on the installation

de nieves’ also talks viewers through his commission for the 2017 whitney biennial, speaking about his experimentation with stained glass, and its combination with some of his existing figurative sculptures for the exhibition. the artist also goes on to explain the project’s influences, describing how the installation acts as a form of remembrance to his father’s early death. ‘creating this narrative, with all these figures and symbols—just taking what I’ve learned from experiences and being able to put it in one image — is really important for me right now.’

the installation has been commissioned for the 2017 whitney biennial

in december, art21 shared an exclusive film of korean creative do ho suh’s latest work, documenting the artist as he engages in a full-scale colored-pencil-on-paper rubbing of his former new york city home. see the video on designboom here.

six floor-to-ceiling windows are covered in vivid motifs