Lina Ghotmeh to Design Qatar's Venice Biennale Pavilion; Ho Tzu Nyen Named Gwangju Biennale Artistic Director
Lebanese-born architect Lina Ghotmeh will create Qatar's permanent pavilion at the Venice Biennale, marking the third nation to join the Giardini in over five decades. Based in Paris, Ghotmeh leads her own firm and is recognized for integrating ecological awareness with artisanal techniques. Separately, the Gwangju Biennale appointed Singaporean artist and filmmaker Ho Tzu Nyen as artistic director for its 16th edition, scheduled to launch in September 2026. Ho's practice encompasses film, video installations, and performances that investigate mythology, cultural identity, and historical narratives across Southeast Asia. Both announcements were made in April.
Key facts
- Lina Ghotmeh is a Lebanese-born architect
- Ghotmeh will design Qatar's permanent pavilion at the Venice Biennale
- Qatar is the third country to join the Giardini in over 50 years
- Ghotmeh's Paris-based firm blends ecological concerns with traditional craftsmanship
- Ho Tzu Nyen is a Singaporean artist and filmmaker
- Ho Tzu Nyen was appointed artistic director of the 16th Gwangju Biennale
- The 16th Gwangju Biennale opens in September 2026
- Ho Tzu Nyen explores mythology, cultural identity, and history in Southeast Asia
Entities
Artists
- Lina Ghotmeh
- Ho Tzu Nyen
Institutions
- Venice Biennale
- Gwangju Biennale
Locations
- Qatar
- Venice
- Italy
- Paris
- France
- Singapore
- Gwangju
- South Korea
- Southeast Asia