Whitney Biennial 2026 | Art & Artists

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Pat Oleszko (she/her)

47

Pat Oleszko first began creating her “inflatables” in the early 1980s as a way to make large-scale sculptures without relying on the need for constructed, heavy armatures. This work debuted as a 1995 commission for the World Trade Center Plaza, where strong winds nearly blew it away. The artist sews these sculptures in sections, which she then connects, unfurls, and inflates on her roof.

Pat Oleszko comenzó a crear sus “inflables” a principios de los años ochenta como una manera de hacer esculturas a gran escala, sin tener que depender de la necesidad de construir armazones pesados. Este trabajo comenzó con una comisión en 1995 para el World Trade Center Plaza, donde fuertes vientos casi se la llevan volando. Oleszko cose estas esculturas en secciones que después conecta, despliega e infla en su azotea.

Blowhard, 1995

Two large colorful inflatable sculptures, one red and yellow spiky piece and a green jester-like figure.
Two large colorful inflatable sculptures, one red and yellow spiky piece and a green jester-like figure.

Installation view of Whitney Biennial 2026 (Whitney Museum of American Art, March 8–August 2026). Pat Oleszko, Blowhard (Trump-eter), 1995. Photograph by Audrey Wang

On the Hour

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Frank WANG Yefeng, The Levitating Perils #2

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