Rare Philly Art Exhibit Brings Carl Cheng’s Visionary Work to ICA
By Melody Russell for South Philly Review
March 26, 2025
The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) at the University of Pennsylvania is now showing Carl Cheng: Nature Never Loses, the first full exhibition of Carl Cheng’s work.
This exhibit covers 60 years of Cheng’s art, from the 1960s to the present, and uses both floors of the museum. His career began in Southern California during a time of major change in art and science.
This region was home to the post-war aerospace industry, which influenced Cheng’s use of machines and natural materials together.
Over time, Cheng created art that explores how people interact with the environment and technology. His work also asks what role art museums should play in society.