Hyperallergic's Guide to the 2026 Venice Biennale and Weekly Art News Roundup
Hakim Bishara, editor-in-chief of Hyperallergic, has unveiled details about the 61st Venice Biennale, focusing on the principal exhibition 'In Minor Keys' curated by Koyo Kouoh. Alongside him, editor-at-large Hrag Vartanian, who has released a guide to events in Venice, will contribute coverage. On April 29, Vartanian will facilitate an online dialogue with artist Jeremy Frey. The newsletter also includes a studio visit with 93-year-old Joan Semmel, insights from Lebanese artist Tania El Khoury on 'revenge art', and Ed Simon's commentary on Hans Holbein. Notable news highlights Barbara Chase-Riboud's decision not to represent the US, a World Press Photo award for an ICE separation image, and a $116M donation to the National Gallery of Art, among other topics. Critiques of various exhibitions and opinion articles regarding museums and Hungary's art scene are also featured, along with community segments like Required Reading, A View From the Easel, and obituaries for Desmond Morris, James Hayward, and Flo Oy Wong.
Key facts
- 61st Venice Biennale main exhibition is 'In Minor Keys' by Koyo Kouoh.
- Hrag Vartanian published a guide to the 2026 Venice Biennale.
- Jeremy Frey conversation with Hrag Vartanian on April 29.
- Barbara Chase-Riboud declined to represent the US at the Venice Biennale.
- World Press Photo 2026 top prize won by image of family separated by ICE.
- $116M gift to National Gallery of Art endows lending program.
- Azerbaijan destroyed Armenian Holy Mother of God Church in Stepanakert.
- Ides Kihlen died at 108.
Entities
Artists
- Koyo Kouoh
- Hrag Vartanian
- Jeremy Frey
- Joan Semmel
- Tania El Khoury
- Ed Simon
- Hans Holbein
- Barbara Chase-Riboud
- Ides Kihlen
- Jule Korneffel
- George Stubbs
- Leonardo Madriz
- Celia Paul
- Desmond Morris
- James Hayward
- Flo Oy Wong
- Manolo Valdés
- Jean-Léon Gérôme
- Yasmine Nasser Diaz
- Naz Cuguoğlu
- Veronika Molnar
- Hakim Bishara
- Aaron Short
- Hadley Suter
- Zoe Guy
- John Yau
- Michael Glover
- Jonah Goldman Kay
Institutions
- Hyperallergic
- Venice Biennale
- National Gallery of Art (NGA)
- Rijksmuseum
- World Press Photo
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- Bard College
- Smithsonian American Art Museum
- Print Center New York
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
- MacArthur Foundation
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Beirut
- Lebanon
- United States
- Artsakh
- Stepanakert
- Azerbaijan
- Mexico
- Oakland
- Chinatown
- Hungary
- Gaza Strip
- Spring Street
- Piazza San Marco