ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

iLiana Fokianaki Appointed Director of Kunsthalle Bern

institutional · 2026-04-24

iLiana Fokianaki, the founding director of Athens' independent art space State of Concept, has been appointed to lead Kunsthalle Bern following an open call by its board. She will take over from Kabelo Malatsie, whose term concludes in February 2024. Since establishing State of Concept in 2013, Fokianaki has collaborated with artists like Forensic Architecture, Kader Attia, and Trinh T. Minh-ha, concentrating on themes of geopolitics and identity. Her curatorial work also includes exhibitions at Museo Reina Sofia in Madrid and e-flux in New York. For Kunsthalle Bern, she aims to implement a multiyear program based on permaculture principles. "I am thrilled to have been chosen to lead Kunsthalle Bern," Fokianaki expressed.

Key facts

  • iLiana Fokianaki appointed director of Kunsthalle Bern
  • She is founding director of State of Concept in Athens
  • Selected through an open call by Kunsthalle Bern's board
  • Succeeds Kabelo Malatsie, whose tenure ends February 2024
  • State of Concept founded in 2013
  • Has worked with artists including Forensic Architecture, Kader Attia, Kapwani Kiwanga, Trinh T. Minh-ha, Laure Prouvost, Sanja Iveković
  • Curated at Museo Reina Sofia, e-flux, Kunstinstituut Melly
  • Proposed multiyear program based on permaculture concept

Entities

Artists

  • Forensic Architecture
  • Kader Attia
  • Kapwani Kiwanga
  • Trinh T. Minh-ha
  • Laure Prouvost
  • Sanja Iveković

Institutions

  • Kunsthalle Bern
  • State of Concept
  • Museo Reina Sofia
  • e-flux
  • Kunstinstituut Melly

Locations

  • Athens
  • Greece
  • Bern
  • Switzerland
  • Madrid
  • Spain
  • New York
  • United States
  • Rotterdam
  • Netherlands

Sources