Bahamas returns to Venice Biennale with tribute to John Beadle
The Bahamas returns to the Venice Biennale after a 13-year hiatus with its second national pavilion, featuring an intergenerational dialogue between the late John Beadle (1964–2024) and Lavar Munroe (b. 1982). Curated by Dr. Krista Thompson, the exhibition highlights both artists' engagement with Bahamian and African diaspora visual and social traditions, focusing on collaboration, commemoration, and material transformation. Beadle, a revered figure in The Bahamas' artistic community, was deeply involved in Junkanoo, the centuries-old biannual national festival, which he called "the cultural bedrock of The Bahamas." His practice emphasized collaborative artmaking and the use of discarded materials, influencing Munroe. The pavilion marks a significant moment for Bahamian representation on the global stage.
Key facts
- The Bahamas returns to the Venice Biennale after a 13-year hiatus.
- The pavilion features artists John Beadle (1964–2024) and Lavar Munroe (b. 1982).
- The exhibition is curated by Dr. Krista Thompson.
- Both artists' practices are grounded in Bahamian and African diaspora traditions.
- Beadle was a key figure in Junkanoo, a biannual national festival.
- Beadle described Junkanoo as 'the cultural bedrock of The Bahamas.'
- Beadle's work emphasized collaboration and use of discarded materials.
- This is the second presentation of The Bahamas at the Venice Biennale.
Entities
Artists
- John Beadle
- Lavar Munroe
- Dr. Krista Thompson
Institutions
- Venice Biennale
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- The Bahamas