Rosalyn D'Mello navigates the 61st Venice Biennale as a mother and critic
In a personal essay for STIRworld, critic Rosalyn D'Mello recounts attending the 61st Venice Biennale, titled 'In Minor Keys' and curated by Koyo Kouoh, while caring for her toddler. She reflects on the challenges of practicing art criticism postpartum, the tension between maternal duties and professional observation, and the exhibition's resonance with themes of motherhood, care, and marginality. D'Mello highlights works by Seyni Awa Camara, Wangechi Mutu, Celia Vásquez Yui, Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons, and others, noting how the biennale's affective, intuitive approach allowed her to feel 'seen' as a mother. She describes moments of connection, such as breastfeeding on Mutu's 'MothersMound' and encountering Lubaina Himid's reading at the British Pavilion. The essay concludes with D'Mello's embrace of her dual role and a sense of triumph. The biennale runs from May 9 to November 22, 2026, at venues across Venice.
Key facts
- The 61st Venice Biennale is titled 'In Minor Keys' and curated by Koyo Kouoh.
- The exhibition runs from May 9 to November 22, 2026, at Giardini, Arsenale, and other Venice locations.
- Rosalyn D'Mello attended with her toddler, reflecting on the challenges of art criticism postpartum.
- Wangechi Mutu's installation includes 'MothersMound' and the video 'Mumbi' dedicated to Kouoh as 'mother'.
- Seyni Awa Camara's terracotta sculptures are displayed on cardboard pedestals.
- Celia Vásquez Yui's 'The Council of the Mother Spirits of the Animals' features zoomorphic clay forms.
- Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons presents resin-PLA filament flower works.
- Lubaina Himid read from her catalogue text at the British Pavilion.
- D'Mello describes the biennale as a 'sensuous joyride' and 'triumphant odyssey'.
- The essay was published on STIRworld on May 18, 2026.
Entities
Artists
- Rosalyn D'Mello
- Koyo Kouoh
- Seyni Awa Camara
- Wangechi Mutu
- Celia Vásquez Yui
- Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons
- Lubaina Himid
- Big Chief Demond Melancon
- Beverly Buchanan
- Werewere Liking
- Rose Salane
- Issa Samb
- Otobong Nkanga
- Uriel Orlow
- Tabita Rezaire
- Trefena Boekoe
- Alice Maher
- Eyal Weizman
- bell hooks
- Carlo Scarpa
- Velimir Zernovski
Institutions
- La Biennale di Venezia
- STIRworld
- British Pavilion
- Central Pavilion
- Giardini
- Arsenale
- HarperCollins India
- Künstlerhaus Büchsenhausen
- India Foundation for the Arts
- Ocean Fellowship
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Giardini
- Arsenale
- Tramin
- Termeno
- South Tyrol
- Alpine region
- Austria
- Veneto
- Mestre
- Basse-Casamance
- Senegal
- Mount Kenya
- Kirinyaga
- Kikuyu