Venice Biennale 2026: Curators and Artists Quietly Criticize Israel
The 61st Venice Biennale, named 'In Minor Keys' and overseen by curator Koyo Kouoh, addresses Israel's actions in Palestine and Lebanon. The central exhibition begins with Refaat al-Areer's poem 'If I Must Die', composed prior to his family's tragic loss in a December 2023 Israeli airstrike in Gaza. The Israeli pavilion has been moved to the Arsenale, where it stands in contrast to Saudi Arabia's pavilion, which showcases Dana Awartani's tribute to obliterated Arab heritage. Avi Mograbi's work 'Between a river and a sea' underscores the erasure of Palestinian culture. Additionally, Walid Raad's 'Far from Quieting' and Mohammed Joha's 'No Shelter' delve into themes of survival and resilience. Amidst protests at the opening, the Golden Lion jury stepped down. The Biennale continues until 22 November 2026.
Key facts
- The 61st Venice Biennale is curated by Koyo Kouoh and titled 'In Minor Keys'.
- The exhibition opens with Refaat al-Areer's poem 'If I Must Die'.
- Refaat al-Areer was killed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza in December 2023.
- The Israeli pavilion is temporarily located in the Arsenale opposite the Saudi Arabian pavilion.
- Dana Awartani's installation 'May your tears never dry, you who weep over stones' uses mosaics recreated by migrant craftspeople.
- Avi Mograbi's 'Between a river and a sea' features business directories from 1938 and 2023.
- Walid Raad's 'Far from Quieting' depicts beds where Yasser Arafat may have slept.
- Mohammed Joha's 'No Shelter' uses reclaimed materials to evoke Gaza's destruction.
- The Golden Lion jury resigned after pressure from the Israeli pavilion artist.
- Hundreds of artists and curators signed a letter calling for Israel's exclusion from the Biennale.
- Gabrielle Goliath exhibited independently after South African government censorship attempts.
- The Biennale runs until 22 November 2026.
Entities
Artists
- Koyo Kouoh
- Refaat al-Areer
- Dana Awartani
- Avi Mograbi
- Ali Al-Azhari
- Walid Raad
- Yasser Arafat
- Mohammed Joha
- Gabrielle Goliath
- Hiba Abu Nada
- Derrick Adams
Institutions
- La Biennale di Venezia
- Italian Ministry of Culture
- Arsenale
- Golden Lion jury
- International Criminal Court
- Breaking the Silence
- Palestine Liberation Organization
- Gagosian
- South African Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture
- Chiesa di Sant’Antonin
- Pavilion of Saudi Arabia
- Pavilion of Israel
- Pavilion of Russia
- Pavilion of South Africa
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Arsenale
- Gaza
- Palestine
- Lebanon
- Syria
- Raqqa Museum
- Saint Hilarion Monastery
- Safuriyya
- Tel Aviv
- Jaffa
- Damascus
- Beirut
- Middle East
- South Africa