7 Essential Exhibitions Transforming Venice During the 2026 Biennale

During the 2026 Venice Biennale, seven major exhibitions across the city feature artists such as Leandro Erlich, Barry X Ball, Koen Vanmechelen, Wallace Chan, Sanya Kantarovsky, Amoako Boafo, and a group show including Arthur Jafa, Jenny Saville, Ed Ruscha, Richard Serra, Laura Owens, and Tino Sehgal. Erlich's 'Hybrids' at Negozio Olivetti (curated by Marcello Dantas) presents around 20 sculptures in dialogue with Carlo Scarpa's architecture. Barry X Ball's 'The Shape of Time' at Basilica di San Giorgio Maggiore (curated by Bob Nickas) features 23 works combining digital technologies and traditional craftsmanship. Vanmechelen's 'We Thought We Were Alone' at Palazzo Rota Ivancich (curated by James Putnam) includes 40 new works and a collaboration with Youssou N'Dour. Chan's 'Vessels of Other Worlds' at the Pietà Chapel (curated by James Putnam) centers on three titanium sculptures and connects to the Long Museum in Shanghai. Kantarovsky's 'Basic Failure' at Palazzo Loredan includes new paintings, ceramics, and a Murano glass sculpture. 'AURA' at AMA Venezia draws from the AMA Collection and features a new work by Ruscha linking Venice, California and Venice, Italy, plus Saville's largest painting. Boafo's 'IT DOESN'T HAVE TO ALWAYS MAKE SENSE' at Museo di Palazzo Grimani is his first solo exhibition in Italy, with finger-painted portraits engaging Venetian painting traditions. All exhibitions run from May to November 2026, except Chan's which ends October 18.