Richard Wright in the Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, has unveiled two newly commissioned large-scale ceiling paintings by the British Turner Prize-winning artist Richard Wright. The site-specific permanent installation is situated in two antechambers located to the left and right of the museum's Night Watch Gallery, where Rembrandt's celebrated painting will hang. Featuring complex patterns with more than 47,000 hand-painted black stars on a white background, the artwork is inspired by the original 19th century decorative wall and ceiling paintings designed by the architect of the Rijksmuseum, Pierre Cuypers. Through his unique painting methods applied directly onto walls, Richard Wright injects intricate works into often overlooked architectural spaces. The Rijksmuseum commission shows a departure from the artist's earlier paintings, which are often short-lived, only surviving the length of an exhibition and are then painted over. Wim Pijbes, General Director of the Rijksmuseum, said: "Richard Wright's ceiling paintings are an inspiring response to the transformed Rijksmuseum and its collections, and a wonderful addition to our new home." Exhibition: Permanent exhibition, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.