Brazilian Selection for Venice Biennale Criticized as Undemocratic Amid São Paulo Foundation's Authoritarian Legacy

opinion-review · 2026-04-23

The choice of Jonathas de Andrade as Brazil's representative for the 2022 Venice Biennale has drawn criticism regarding the undemocratic methods of the São Paulo Bienal Foundation. Since the 1990s, the selection process has consistently favored curators who align with the institution's leadership, unlike the more open processes observed in the U.S., France, and Germany. The article references the 2007 incident involving Manoel Pires da Costa, who was overlooked following a conflict with curator Lisette Lagnado. Current president José Olympio Pereira, a supporter of Bolsonaro, highlights a longstanding rift between cultural managers and artists. Andrade's appointment is viewed as contradictory, especially following the 34th São Paulo Bienal's "Bienal dos índios" theme, which faced criticism from indigenous artist Jaider Esbell. Additionally, various exhibitions throughout Brazil are set to take place.

Key facts

Jonathas de Andrade was selected as Brazil's representative for the 2022 Venice Biennale.
The São Paulo Bienal Foundation has controlled the selection since the 1990s, a move orchestrated by Edemar Cid Ferreira.
President José Olympio Pereira, a Bolsonaro supporter, leads the Foundation, continuing a historical gap between institution leaders and artists.
The selection process is criticized as a reward for compliant curators, unlike public processes in the US, France, and Germany.
The 34th São Paulo Bienal's "Bienal dos índios" theme was criticized by indigenous artist Jaider Esbell as insincere.
Other national selections for Venice include Maria Eichhorn for Germany, Simone Leigh for the US, and Zineb Sedira for France.
Multiple concurrent exhibitions are scheduled across Brazil from January through November 2026.
The article references a 2007 incident where Manoel Pires da Costa was passed over for Venice after clashing with curator Lisette Lagnado.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

Fundação Bienal de São Paulo
Ministério das Relações Exteriores
Bienal de Veneza
Elástica
Galeria Galatea
Nara Roesler
Sesc Sorocaba
Capela João de Camargo
Clube 28 de Setembro
Monumento Pelourinho
Monumento à Mãe Preta
CAIXA Cultural São Paulo
Phi Projetos
Cinnamon
Governo do Brasil
Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil Belo Horizonte
Ateliê Marlene Barros
Ponto de Cultura Coletivo ZBM
Universidade de Aveiro
MASP
Coleção Jorge M. Pérez
El Espacio 23
Janaina Torres Galeria
FAMA Museu
Sala Almeida Jr.
IMS - Instituto Moreira Salles
Biblioteca de Fotografia
10×10 Photobooks
Getty Research Institute
Museo Reina Sofía
Rijksmuseum
New York Public Library
Livraria da Travessa
Simões de Assis
Galeria Estúdio Reverso
NND|Azeco
NONADA SP
DAN Galeria
SP-Arte
Casa de Cultura do Parque
Projeto 280X1020
Instituto de Cultura Contemporânea
Lei Rouanet
Ministério da Cultura
banco BV
Laranjinha
Banco Itaú
Biblioteca Brasiliana Guita e José Mindlin - USP
Instituto Hercule Florence
Documenta Pantanal
BBM-USP
Centro Maria Antônia da USP
Bibliothèque nationale de France
Coleção Cyrillo Hercules Florence
Galeria Nara Roesler - SP
Roesler Hotel
Fonte
Carmo Johnson Projects
Itaú Cultural
Ilê Asipá
Pina Luz
Pinacoteca
Serviço de Repressão à Mendicância
Movimento Grevista Negro
Museu de Arte do Espírito Santo
Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo
Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro
Secretaria da Cultura
Fundo de Cultura do Estado do Espirito Santo
Política Nacional Aldir Blanc
Midiateca Capixaba
Governo do Estado
Centro de Pesquisa e Formação do Sesc
PGHEA-MAC/USP
Paris Photo
Império Russo
Universidade de São Paulo

Locations

Brasil
São Paulo
Salvador
Bahia
BA
Recife
Pernambuco
Olinda
Zona Leste
Sorocaba
SP
Centro
Belo Horizonte
MG
Maranhão
Portugal
Aveiro
Santiago
Argentina
La Puntana
Gran Chaco
Paraguai
Nova York
EUA
Estados Unidos
França
Alemanha
Veneza
Itália
Los Angeles
Madri
Espanha
Amsterdã
Países Baixos
Holanda
Lorena
Jardim Paulista
Vila Nova Conceição
Itu
São Paulo-SP
Avenida Paulista
Rua Estados Unidos
Alto de Pinheiros
Vitória
ES
Mato Grosso
Grão-Pará
Porto Feliz
Amazônia
Pantanal
Rio de Janeiro
RJ
Mumbai
Índia
Pequim
China
Jacarta
Indonésia
Tóquio
Japão
Algarve
Santo Antônio da Patrulha
RS
Campo Grande
Ipojuca
Fortaleza
CE
Ilha de Itaparica
Recôncavo Baiano
Vila Madalena
Boaçava
Bela Vista
Bom Retiro
Cidade Universitária
Jardim Faculdade
Funcionários
Barra Funda
Vulcano
África
Camarões
Inglaterra
Reino Unido
Miami
Zurich
Suíça

Sources

ARTE!Brasileiros — 2021-12-15