Venice Biennale 2026: A Testament to Koyo Kouoh’s Vision and Artistic Resilience

The Venice Biennale, one of the most prestigious art exhibitions globally, returns for its 61st International Art Exhibition from May 9 to November 22, 2026. This year’s theme, In Minor Keys, was conceived by the late Koyo Kouoh, a prominent curator and director of Zeitz MOCAA in Cape Town. Kouoh passed away unexpectedly in May 2025, yet her vision will guide the exhibition, maintained by the Biennale, reflecting her memorial and manifesto.

A Unique Artistic Vision

Kouoh’s theme embraces elements of jazz, Caribbean poetry, and the metaphor of a creole garden. It promotes mood over monumentality, intimacy over dominance, and fragility over spectacle. Visitors will experience a series of “oases”—concepts that serve as gardens and shelters, where art engages with social, emotional, and political frequencies. This approach is a counter to today’s crisis-driven world, posing a challenge to whether the art community will engage with this introspective format.

Navigating the Main Event

The central pavilions at the Giardini and Arsenale serve as primary destinations. Attendees are encouraged to allocate at least two full days to explore the venues, with the Arsenale offering a rich, labyrinthine experience. The central pavilion, newly restored for this edition, adds further value to the Giardini.

The scale of the Biennale is immense, featuring 99 national pavilions coupled with 31 official collateral events, in addition to numerous unofficial exhibitions throughout Venice. Visitors should prioritize their experiences, allowing flexibility for unexpected discoveries.

Highlighting National Pavilions: The MENA Edit

UAE – Washwasha (Arsenale)

Curated by Bana Kattan and Tala Nassar, the UAE pavilion presents Washwasha, which translates to whispering in Arabic. This pavilion features six artists: Mays Albaik, Jawad Al Malhi, Farah Al Qasimi, Alaa Edris, Lamya Gargash, and Taus Makhacheva. Their work explores a nation characterized by transience and the interplay of tradition and modernity.

Qatar – untitled 2026 (a gathering of remarkable people) (Giardini)

Qatar’s inaugural official pavilion features a tent-like design by Rirkrit Tiravanija, showcasing works from Sophia Al-Maria and Tarek Atoui, among others. This pavilion embodies hospitality as a curatorial strategy, rooted in Middle Eastern culinary culture.

Saudi Arabia – May your tears never dry, you who weep over stones (Arsenale)

Curated by Antonia Carver, this pavilion features the work of Dana Awartani, who uses ancient craft to express cultural and political narratives. Her art emphasizes geometry and material histories, positioning craft as a vital form of resilience.

Lebanon – Don’t Get Me Wrong (Arsenale)

Nabil Nahas’ immersive installation explores the intersection of painting and sculpture. Organized by the Lebanese Visual Art Association, this pavilion highlights the creative continuity and strength of Lebanese art in challenging circumstances.

Morocco – Asǝṭṭa (Arsenale)

Amina Agueznay’s installation celebrates Moroccan artisanry, collaborating with weavers to foreground craft as a co-creative process. It draws from traditional architectural concepts, connecting past knowledge with the present artistic dialogue.

Syria – The Tower Tomb of Palmyra (Sara Shamma, curated by Yuko Hasegawa)

Focusing on the ancient tower tombs of Palmyra, this pavilion aims to recontextualize erasure into a dialogue about continuity. This exhibition signifies Syria’s return to the international art platform.

Palestine – Gaza: No Words – See the Exhibit (Palazzo Mora)

Without a national pavilion, Palestine presents an exhibition featuring 100 works of tatreez, rooted in deep cultural memories and crafted by women in refugee communities across the region.

International National Pavilions

Nordic Countries

Curated by Anna Mustonen, this pavilion features artists Klara Kristalova, Benjamin Orlow, and Tori Wrånes. The exhibition incorporates elements of narrative, myth, and immersive soundscapes, blurring fantastical elements with lived experiences.

Italy – Con te, con tutto (Arsenale)

Chiara Camoni represents Italy, presenting a work characterized as “magical materialism.” The pavilion dissolves boundaries between fine art and craft, focusing on communal creation and shared ritual.

Estonia – The House of Leaking Sky (Former Church, Castello)

Merike Estna will paint live throughout the Biennale, developing a massive composition that transforms the pavilion into a dynamic studio environment.

Australia – Khaled Sabsabi (Giardini)

Sabsabi frames his work around community and collaborative efforts. He emphasizes cultivating conversation, allowing the audience to engage critically with the art rather than passively consuming it.

Noteworthy Exhibitions

Anish Kapoor: Palazzo Manfrin (May 6 – August 9)

Reopening after renovation, the Anish Kapoor Foundation will host an exhibition that showcases his work over five decades, including large-scale installations and architectural models.

Wallace Chan: Vessels of Other Worlds (May 8 – October 18)

Hong Kong artist Wallace Chan presents monumental titanium sculptures, intertwining themes of spirituality and the sacred, linking Venice with his broader artistic narrative.

Nalini Malani: Of Woman Born (May 9 – November 22)

This installation reinterprets the Greek myth of Orestes through animations and soundscapes, offering a meditation on contemporary themes of violence and accountability.

Chihuly: Venice 2026 (May 5 – November 14)

Dale Chihuly returns to Venice with three new towering glass sculptures, integrating artistry and architectural presence visible throughout the Grand Canal.

The Holy See Pavilion: The Ear is the Eye of the Soul

Curators Hans Ulrich Obrist and Ben Vickers present a unique pavilion featuring contributions from musicians and artists interpreting the life of Saint Hildegard of Bingen.

The Fashion Bonus

The Dries Van Noten Foundation debuts its first presentation at the Palazzo Pisani Moretta, exploring craftsmanship through a curated collection of over 200 works.

The Venice Biennale not only showcases contemporary art but also prompts discussions about its purpose, reaching new audiences and addressing the urgency to listen closely to often-ignored voices. As reported by www.mojeh.com.