Five Indian Artists Reveal Venice Biennale 2026 Pavilion Works and Critiques

Alwar Balasubramaniam, Sumakshi Singh, Ranjani Shettar, Asim Waqif, and Skarma Sonam Tashi will represent India at the 61st Venice Biennale, with their national pavilion located in the Arsenale. The 2026 edition runs from 9 May through 22 November. ArtReview published a questionnaire with the artists, revealing their planned installations and perspectives. Skarma Sonam Tashi presents 'Echoes of Home,' an installation using recycled cardboard and papier-mâché inspired by Ladakhi architecture. Sumakshi Singh creates a spectral house from thread, based on her grandparents' demolished Delhi home at '33 Link Road.' Alwar Balasubramaniam continues exploring natural processes like earth and water interaction. Ranjani Shettar works with suspended natural materials responding to light. Asim Waqif employs bamboo, drawing on three decades of architectural and artisanal experience. The artists connect their work to the Biennale theme 'In Minor Keys,' emphasizing quiet, reflective approaches. Critiques emerged, with Waqif calling the Biennale 'exploitative' for lacking artist fees and production budgets, and viewing Venice as a 'hostile environment.' Others highlighted the event's global dialogue, with Singh noting art's capacity to 'build bridges' beyond national narratives. The artists described intense, collaborative creation processes, often working long hours with teams from India and Ladakh.