Bangkok Art Biennale 2026 Reveals Theme 'Angels and Mara' and Initial Artist List

The fifth Bangkok Art Biennale will run from October 29, 2026 to February 28, 2027, featuring the theme 'Angels and Mara'. This concept draws from Bangkok's meaning as 'City of Angels' while contrasting divine messengers with the Buddhist demon Mara, representing human struggles with desire and darkness. Curatorial leadership comes from Apinan Poshyananda as chief executive and artistic director, joined by Adulaya Hoontrakul, director of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, alongside other scholars. Fifteen artists and collectives have been confirmed, including Mel Chin, Mandy El-Sayegh, Brennan Gerard and Ryan Kelly, Piero Golia, Sonia Hamza, Mahtab Hussain and Guy Gunaratne, Htein Lin, Shin Min, Yasumasa Morimura, Mary Pakinee, Ri, Kornkarn Rungsawang, Teerapon Sisung, Manit Sriwanichpoom, and Sun Yuan and Peng Yu. Venues will extend beyond traditional cultural spaces like the Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre, Bangkok National Museum, and National Gallery to include sacred heritage sites such as Wat Arun, Wat Pho, and Wat Prayoon, plus the urban development One Bangkok. Announced on October 3, the biennial aims to create a platform for Thai and international artists to explore contemporary contradictions and resilience.