David Huang, Hands Toward the Universe, 2024. Photo courtesy of the Noguchi Museum
May 2, 2024 By Czarinna Andres
The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum in Long Island City recently announced that David Huang’s “Hands Toward the Universe” has triumphed in its third annual Open Call for Artist Banners.
Huang’s creation will adorn the museum’s outdoor spaces from May 2024 until May 2025. His interpretation of this year’s theme, “love and labor,” impressed the judges, earning him the top spot amid a field of remarkable entries.
Runners-up Jacqueline Qiu and Derek Zheng also showcased exceptional talent in this year’s competition.
The Noguchi Museum’s 2024 Open Call for Artist Banners finalists: (Left to right) winner David Huang and runners-up Jacqueline Qiu and Derek Zheng. Photo by Evan Scott ©INFGM / ARS
Launched in 2021, the Open Call aims to spotlight and uplift emerging AAPI artists from across New York City’s five boroughs, aligning with the museum’s commitment to fostering community engagement through the arts.
This year’s theme draws inspiration from Isamu Noguchi’s designs for public spaces—such as gardens, plazas and playgrounds—which seamlessly blend into communal life, enriching public experiences.
Each finalist brought a unique perspective to the table. David Huang, a Taiwanese migrant and Brooklyn-based illustrator, uses his art to navigate and express his identity and experiences. Jacqueline Qiu, a multidisciplinary artist from New York, merges Eastern and Western art philosophies through her textile work. Derek Zheng, a filmmaker and illustrator residing in Queens, explores narrative depth through sequential imagery.
David Huang. Photo by Evan Scott ©INFGM / ARS
To coincide with Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the museum is set to host an opening reception on Wednesday, May 22, from 6–8 p.m., where the new banners will be unveiled.
This event showcases Huang’s work and provides an opportunity for community members to connect with the exhibit’s underlying themes. Attendees can RSVP at rsvp@noguchi.org.
For more details on the Open Call for Artist Banners and other upcoming events, visit noguchi.org.
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