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Bienal de Veneza 2022 Announces 213 Artists from 58 Countries, Including First-Time Nations

exhibition · 2026-04-20

The 59th Venice Biennale, titled The Milk of Dreams and curated by Cecilia Alemani, will run from April 23 to November 27, 2022, after a pandemic delay. This postponement aligns its schedule with Documenta in Kassel, Germany. On February 2, organizers revealed 213 participants from 58 countries, marking the first appearances for Cameroon, Namibia, Nepal, Oman, and Uganda. Five Brazilian artists—Lenora de Barros, Luiz Roque, Rosana Paulino, Solange Pessoa, and the recently deceased Jaider Esbell—are among the selected. Alemani, director and chief curator of New York's High Line Art, bases the exhibition's title on a children's book by surrealist Leonora Carrington. The show will focus on three thematic areas: the representation of bodies and their metamorphoses, the relationship between individuals and technologies, and the connection between bodies and the Earth. While emphasizing emerging artists, the Biennale will also feature five 'time capsules' with historical works by renowned figures, displayed alongside contemporary pieces. A new 'College Arte' initiative, joining existing colleges for cinema, dance, theater, and music, will financially support projects by Simnikiwe Buhlungu, Ambra Castagnetti, Andro Eradze, and Kudzanai-Violet Hwami with €25,000 grants each. Over 250 emerging artists under 30 applied, with a majority being women.

Key facts

  • The 59th Venice Biennale runs from April 23 to November 27, 2022.
  • 213 artists from 58 countries are participating.
  • Cameroon, Namibia, Nepal, Oman, and Uganda are represented for the first time.
  • The exhibition is titled The Milk of Dreams, curated by Cecilia Alemani.
  • Five Brazilian artists are included: Lenora de Barros, Luiz Roque, Rosana Paulino, Solange Pessoa, and Jaider Esbell.
  • The Biennale coincides with Documenta in Kassel due to a pandemic delay.
  • A new 'College Arte' offers €25,000 grants to four artists.
  • The show focuses on bodies, technology, and Earth, featuring 'time capsules' of historical works.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

Locations

  • Venice
  • Italy
  • Kassel
  • Germany
  • New York
  • United States
  • Giardini
  • Arsenale
  • Corderie
  • Artiglierie
  • Giardino delle Vergini
  • Cameroon
  • Namibia
  • Nepal
  • Oman
  • Uganda
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Uzbekistan

Sources

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