ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

54 Artists Withdraw from Venice Biennale Golden Lion Competition

festival-fair · 2026-05-09

On the opening of the 61st Venice Biennale, 54 artists from the international exhibition 'In Minor Keys' and representatives from 22 national pavilions announced their withdrawal from the awards, deepening a political crisis. The decision was published via e-flux manifesto in response to the resignation of the international jury in late April. The jury had declared it would not consider countries whose leaders are accused of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court, effectively excluding Israel and Russia. After the jury resigned, the Biennale organization exceptionally abolished the Golden Lions and created 'Visitor Lions' determined by public vote, to be announced in November. This reinstated Israel and Russia, triggering further backlash. Notable artists withdrawing include Laurie Anderson, Alfredo Jaar, Otobong Nkanga, Walid Raad, Tuan Andrew Nguyen, and Carolina Caycedo. National pavilions from France, Belgium, Spain, Netherlands, Poland, Ireland, Switzerland, and UAE joined the symbolic boycott. Protests targeted the Israeli and Russian pavilions, and a strike by cultural workers disrupted activities at the Arsenale. In March, a previous open letter had called for Israel's exclusion.

Key facts

  • 54 artists from 'In Minor Keys' and 22 national pavilions withdrew from Venice Biennale awards.
  • The withdrawal followed the resignation of the international jury in late April.
  • The jury had declared it would not consider countries with leaders accused of crimes against humanity.
  • The Biennale abolished Golden Lions and created 'Visitor Lions' decided by public vote.
  • Israel and Russia were reinstated as eligible for the new awards.
  • Notable artists: Laurie Anderson, Alfredo Jaar, Otobong Nkanga, Walid Raad, Tuan Andrew Nguyen, Carolina Caycedo.
  • National pavilions from France, Belgium, Spain, Netherlands, Poland, Ireland, Switzerland, UAE joined the boycott.
  • Protests and a cultural workers' strike occurred at the Arsenale.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • Bienal de Veneza
  • Fundação Bienal de Veneza
  • e-flux
  • Tribunal Penal Internacional
  • Arsenale
  • Venice Biennale Foundation
  • La Biennale
  • Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA)
  • Hyperallergic
  • International Criminal Court (ICC)
  • Belgian Pavilion
  • Israeli Pavilion
  • Arsenale Complex
  • Icelandic Art Center
  • Ministry of Culture and Media (Croatia)
  • Venice Biennale
  • La Biennale di Venezia
  • ArtReview
  • Biennale Foundation
  • Israel Pavilion
  • Russian Pavilion
  • International Criminal Court
  • European Union
  • Bolivia
  • Corriere della Sera
  • Instagram
  • WhatsApp
  • Facebook
  • Central Pavilion
  • ArtAsiaPacific
  • Belgium Pavilion
  • Luxembourg Pavilion
  • France Pavilion
  • Slovenia Pavilion
  • Latvia Pavilion
  • Lithuania Pavilion
  • Switzerland Pavilion
  • Spain Pavilion
  • Netherlands Pavilion
  • Poland Pavilion
  • Ecuador Pavilion
  • Ireland Pavilion
  • Kosovo Pavilion
  • Finland Pavilion
  • Czech Republic and Slovakia Pavilion
  • Cyprus Pavilion
  • Albania Pavilion
  • UAE Pavilion
  • Türkiye Pavilion
  • Grenada Pavilion
  • Iceland Pavilion
  • Moldova Pavilion
  • The Art Newspaper
  • Pussy Riot
  • FEMEN
  • Biennale di Venezia
  • Fondazione La Biennale di Venezia
  • Artribune
  • Art Not Genocide Alliance
  • Fundación Biennale
  • exibart.es
  • International Court of Justice
  • Tawna Collective
  • Nonument
  • Zachęta National Gallery of Art
  • New York Times

Locations

  • Venice
  • Italy
  • Israel
  • Russia
  • France
  • Belgium
  • Spain
  • Netherlands
  • Poland
  • Ireland
  • Switzerland
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Luxembourg
  • Slovenia
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Ecuador
  • Kosovo
  • Finland
  • Czech Republic
  • Slovakia
  • Cyprus
  • Albania
  • Turkey
  • Grenada
  • Iceland
  • Moldova
  • Portugal
  • Estonia
  • Ukraine
  • Croatia
  • Austria
  • San Marino
  • Nordic Countries
  • Denmark
  • Britain
  • Chile
  • Bulgaria
  • Philippines
  • Romania
  • Mexico
  • Malta
  • Aotearoa New Zealand
  • United States
  • Lebanon
  • Nigeria
  • Arsenale
  • India
  • Giardini
  • United Kingdom
  • New Zealand
  • Aotearoa
  • Gaza

Sources

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