ABOUT
US

The Wang Contemporary (TWC) is a cultural organization founded by Ying and Alexander Wang to support and present Asian and Asian-American creativity across generations and disciplines. Located in New York City's Chinatown, TWC is housed in a historic landmark long embedded in the neighborhood's cultural landscape.

Through exhibitions, performances, and public programs, TWC serves as a platform for creatives to experiment, challenge conventions, and engage with culture as a living, evolving force—rooted in history while oriented toward the future.

In the Spring of 2025, Ying and Alex Wang purchased the historic building at 58 Bowery – a majestic domed bank built in 1924 and landmarked in 2011. Located at the corner of Bowery and Canal Streets, it stands as a gateway to NYC's bustling Chinatown. For the first time in a century, the building is owned by Chinese Americans.

Inside 58 Bowery, the grand seven-story space is framed by four towering arches. Above each is a single word – wisdom, safety, thrift, and success – ideals once promised to depositors navigating the chaos of early 20th-century commerce. A hundred years later, the former bank is reimagined as a beacon of creative capital – revitalizing a corner of Chinatown for the world to experience and celebrate.

A visionary trailblazer from China's first generation of post-reform entrepreneurs, she spent over 50 years leading successful ventures in manufacturing and global trade. Recognized for her exceptional business acumen, she has advised the Chinese government on international relations and talent exchange, while her successful track record has forged new paths for women in industry.

Wang's greatest work has always been rooted in people. Whether mentoring young creatives or launching VIA China Group to promote East-West collaboration across art, food, education, and technology, she has long dedicated herself to lifting others up and creating platforms for innovative new talent. In 2022, she transformed a forgotten toy factory in Shanghai into VIA 1221—a thriving cultural hub that became a magnet for artists and creators in less than a year.

Ying brings that same vision to New York, joining forces with her son, designer Alexander Wang, to launch The Wang Contemporary — a deeply personal venture: a mother and son coming together to create a home for cutting-edge Asian creativity. Rooted in Ying's lifelong mission and shaped by Alex's journey in fashion, the foundation aims to challenge stereotypes, spark cultural dialogue, and support a new generation of bold voices.

Born and raised in San Francisco to Chinese-American parents, Alexander Wang moved to New York City to attend Parsons School of Design. After two years, he left school to pursue something bolder: the launch of his namesake label in 2005. What began as a collection of unisex knitwear quickly evolved into a full women's ready-to-wear line, debuting on the runway in 2007 with a daring and distinctive downtown energy that captivated the global fashion world.

By 2008, Wang had won the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund and launched his first handbag line. Over the next decade, he expanded into menswear, footwear, and accessories, earning a long list of accolades including Swarovski Womenswear Designer of the Year, GQ's Best New Menswear Designer, and a celebrated tenure as creative director of Balenciaga from 2012 to 2015. Alongside his main collections, Alex collaborated with cultural giants like Adidas, H&M, McDonald's, Beats by Dre, and Bulgari, proving that luxury could be genre-defying, irreverent, and inclusive.

Partnering with his mother Ying Wang, a long incubated dream becomes a reality for the duo — to uplift creative Asian talent to ensure the next generation doesn't have to fight for visibility—they'll have space to thrive and shine.