Italian Artists Absent from Venice Biennale Central Exhibition for First Time Since 1895

The upcoming Venice Biennale's central exhibition will feature 111 artists without any Italian participants, marking the first such occurrence since the event's inception in 1895. This development has sparked debate about Italy's diminishing role in the contemporary art world. Historical context includes curator Harald Szeemann's 1999 temporary elimination of the Italian Pavilion and the broader shift toward decolonial perspectives in international exhibitions since Okwui Enwezor's 1997 Johannesburg Biennale. The selection favors artists from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and other regions, many represented by Western galleries and supported by private donors. Notable participants include Laurie Anderson, Nick Cave, Carsten Höller, Kader Attia, Alfredo Jaar, and Otobong Nkanga. Factors cited include Italy's reduced geopolitical influence, limited gallery support compared to international rivals, and the high costs of exhibition production, which often rely on commercial galleries and private funding rather than Italy's €18 million state contribution. The article questions institutional efforts to advocate for Italian artists on the global stage.