61st Venice Biennale 2026: Must-See National Pavilions
The 61st Venice Biennale, under the curation of Koyo Kouoh (1967–2025), invites attendees to engage emotionally through diverse artistic expressions. A unique sonic experience in the Holy See, created by Hans Ulrich Obrist and Ben Vickers, features contributions from notable figures such as Patti Smith, Jim Jarmusch, Otobong Nkanga, and FKA Twigs. Canada’s Abbas Akhavan addresses colonial legacies with large water lilies, while India's pavilion highlights the work of Alwar Balasubramaniam, showcasing bamboo, silk, and paper-mâché. In Poland, Bogna Burska and Daniel Kotowski present an audiovisual piece in a pool. The UK’s Lubaina Himid displays textile-inspired panels, Spain’s Oriol Vilanova decorates walls with postcards, and Austria’s Florentina Holzinger performs feminist works at the Giardini.
Key facts
- 61st Venice Biennale curated by Koyo Kouoh (1967–2025)
- Holy See pavilion features Soundwalk Collective with Patti Smith, Jim Jarmusch, Otobong Nkanga, FKA Twigs
- Canada pavilion by Abbas Akhavan uses Victoria cruziana water lilies from Kew Gardens
- India pavilion includes works by Alwar Balasubramaniam, Ranjani Shettar, Skarma Sonam, Asim Waqif, Sumakshi Singh
- Poland pavilion by Bogna Burska and Daniel Kotowski uses sign language and whale songs
- UK pavilion by Lubaina Himid includes five monumental panels and sound by Magda Stawarska
- Spain pavilion by Oriol Vilanova displays postcards collected over 20 years
- Lithuania pavilion by Eglė Budvytytė features 16mm film inspired by Marija Gimbutas
- Austria pavilion by Florentina Holzinger includes all-female performances at Giardini
Entities
Artists
- Koyo Kouoh
- Hans Ulrich Obrist
- Ben Vickers
- Soundwalk Collective
- Patti Smith
- Jim Jarmusch
- Otobong Nkanga
- FKA Twigs
- Hildegard of Bingen
- Abbas Akhavan
- Alwar Balasubramaniam
- Ranjani Shettar
- Skarma Sonam
- Asim Waqif
- Sumakshi Singh
- Bogna Burska
- Daniel Kotowski
- Lubaina Himid
- Magda Stawarska
- Oriol Vilanova
- Eglė Budvytytė
- Marija Gimbutas
- Florentina Holzinger
- Alexander Kluge
- Bhanu Kapil
- Brian Eno
- Carminho
- Caterina Barbieri
- Devonté Hynes
- Holly Herndon
- Mat Dryhurst
- Kali Malone
- Kazu Makino
- Laraaji
- Meredith Monk
- Moor Mother
- Precious Okoyomon
- Raúl Zurita
- Suzanne Ciani
- Terry Riley
- Ilda David'
- Tatiana Bilbao
- Monache benedettine dell'Abbazia di Eibingen
- Choir in Motion (Chór w Ruchu)
- Alicja Czyczel
- Aleksandra Gryka
- Magda Mosiewicz
- Zhanna Kadyrova
- Tegene Kunbi
- Fiona Pardington
- Manon Awst
- Dylan Huw
- Lotus L. Kang
- FKA twigs
Institutions
- Biennale di Venezia
- Holy See
- Soundwalk Collective
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- University of Padua Botanical Garden
- Giardini
- Turner Prize
- British Black Arts Movement
- Venice Biennale
- Arsenale
- Ukrainian Pavilion
- Ethiopian Pavilion
- Palazzo Bollani
- New Zealand Pavilion
- Istituto Santa Maria della Pietà
- Welsh Pavilion
- Oriel Davies
- Oriel Myrddin
- Canadian Pavilion
- Bvlgari
- Spanish Pavilion
- Austrian Pavilion
- British Pavilion
- Holy See Pavilion
- Giardino Mistico dei Carmelitani Scalzi
- Artlyst
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Montreal
- Berlin
- Canada
- New Delhi
- India
- Poland
- Spain
- Lithuania
- Austria
- United Kingdom
- Zanzibar
- South Africa
- England
- Padua
- Kew
- Australia
- Italy (south)
- Giardini
- Pokrovsk
- Donetsk
- Ukraine
- Castello
- Cannaregio
- Australasia
- Wales
- New Zealand
- Ethiopia
- Great Britain
- Vatican City