Lubaina Himid's British Pavilion Examines Home and Belonging at Venice Biennale

At the 61st Venice Art Biennale, Lubaina Himid's exhibition 'Predicting History: Testing Translation' transforms the British Pavilion into a meditation on migration, belonging, and the struggle to create home in unwelcoming spaces. The show features five large-scale paintings—Architects, Tailors, Chefs, Boatbuilders, and Gardeners—depicting black figures working in surreal environments. East-African kangas with provocative texts like 'Can flies settle here?' and 'Can poison taste delicious?' accompany the works, adding a layer of unease. A soundscape by Magda Stawarska, featuring Nana Mouskouri's 'Early One Morning,' enhances the atmosphere. Curated by Ese Onojeruo and commissioned by the British Council, the exhibition critiques British national identity and colonialism, using the pavilion's neoclassical architecture as a backdrop. Himid, who immigrated from Zimbabwe, draws on her background in theatre and set design to create an immersive experience. The show runs from May 9 to November 22, 2026, as part of the Biennale curated by Koyo Kouoh.