The beloved Whitney Biennial this year revved things up with the 2026 Hyundai Terrace Commission by Los Angeles–born artist Kelly Akashi.
Debuting on the museum’s 5th‑floor outdoor gallery, the spectacular display delighted attendees who enjoyed the whimsical magic of art in New York City.
Two years ago marked the launch of Hyundai’s new 10‑year partnership with the Whitney, enabling the Hyundai Terrace Commission and supporting the Whitney Biennial—an ongoing annual collaboration between Hyundai and the museum.
Remnants by Kelly Akashi
To witness what this collaboration does is simply divine. To have a space supported in a community is a positive step and paves the road for a world of artistic endeavors being elevated to limitless possibilities.
Imprints by Kelly Akashi
Beginning March 8, the 5th‑floor outdoor gallery will debut a new commission by Los Angeles–born artist Kelly Akashi (b. 1983). Her work explores materiality, time, and the imprint of life through glass, bronze, stone, natural objects, and her signature Cultivator
Her most impressive work here is the “Monument,” which stands as a testament to the widespread losses suffered in Altadena, California, in the Eaton Fire in January 2025. After Kelly Akashi’s home and studio burned, the chimney was the only structure left standing. She worked with a mason to rebuild it piece by piece, alongside a reconstruction of her home’s walkway, in luminous glass brick.
The 82nd edition of the Whitney Biennial features 56 artist groups and spans all exhibition floors, continuing the Biennial’s legacy as one of the most influential surveys of contemporary American art.
Thanks to Hyundai for creating a space that welcomes your emotions and allows them to soar.
