Dana Awartani Selected for Saudi Arabia's Venice Biennale Pavilion in 2026
Dana Awartani has been chosen to create the National Pavilion of Saudi Arabia for the upcoming 61st International Art Exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia, taking place from May 9 to November 22, 2026. Her project will blend multimedia elements to revitalize Islamic and Arab art traditions, using local materials to explore themes of disruption and healing. The pavilion will follow the theme In Minor Keys, established by Koyo Kouoh, and is commissioned by the Visual Arts Commission from the Saudi Ministry of Culture, led by Dina Amin. Antonia Carver is the curator, supported by assistant curator Hafsa Alkhudairi. Awartani's recent work includes the 2025 exhibition Standing by the Ruins at Bristol’s Arnolfini Gallery and various shows in Hamburg, Australia, Rome, and the 11th Asia Pacific Triennial, highlighting her dedication to promoting Saudi cultural narratives through craft revival.
Key facts
- Dana Awartani represents Saudi Arabia at the 61st Venice Biennale in 2026
- The pavilion runs from May 9 to November 22, 2026
- Theme is In Minor Keys, chosen by the late Koyo Kouoh
- Commissioned by Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Visual Arts Commission led by Dina Amin
- Curated by Antonia Carver with assistant curator Hafsa Alkhudairi
- Awartani’s practice explores Islamic and Arab art traditions focusing on rupture and repair
- Her series Come, let me heal your wounds. Let me mend your broken bones uses silk and medicinal herbs
- Recent exhibitions include shows in Bristol, Hamburg, Australia, and multiple international biennials
Entities
Artists
- Dana Awartani
- Koyo Kouoh
- Antonia Carver
- Hafsa Alkhudairi
- Dina Amin
- Iain Cocks
Institutions
- National Pavilion of Saudi Arabia
- La Biennale di Venezia
- Saudi Ministry of Culture
- Visual Arts Commission
- Art Jameel
- Arnolfini Gallery
- Sfeir-Semler Gallery
- Samstag Museum of Art
- High Line Plinth
- Bukhara Biennial
- Kunshaus Graz
- Villa Medici
- Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art
- Sharjah Biennial
- Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale
- Desert X AlUla
- Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
- Kochi Muziris Biennale
- Venice Biennale
- Ministry of Culture
- ArtAsiaPacific
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Saudi Arabia
- Bristol
- United Kingdom
- Hamburg
- Germany
- Australia
- New York
- United States
- Bukhara
- Uzbekistan
- Graz
- Austria
- Rome
- Washington, DC
- Kochi
- India
- AlUla
- Sharjah
- United Arab Emirates
- Diriyah
- Jeddah