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20th São Paulo Biennial Awards Grand Prix to France and Martin Puryear

festival-fair · 2026-04-23

The 20th São Paulo Biennial, like Venice, adopted a prize system. The Grand Prix for a country was awarded to France, represented by Alain Jacquet, Antonio Semeraro, and Philippe Thomas, a choice favoring radicality in contrast to the biennial's overall historicist and classical character. The Grand Prix for an artist went to American sculptor Martin Puryear.

Key facts

  • The 20th São Paulo Biennial used a prize system similar to Venice.
  • France won the Grand Prix for a country.
  • France was represented by Alain Jacquet, Antonio Semeraro, and Philippe Thomas.
  • The French selection was seen as favoring radicality.
  • The overall biennial was described as historicist and classic.
  • Martin Puryear won the Grand Prix for an artist.
  • Martin Puryear is an American sculptor.
  • The biennial was held in São Paulo.

Entities

Artists

  • Alain Jacquet
  • Antonio Semeraro
  • Philippe Thomas
  • Martin Puryear

Institutions

  • São Paulo Biennial

Locations

  • São Paulo
  • Brazil

Sources