Low Kee Hong appointed artistic director of 2028 Biennale of Sydney

Low Kee Hong, creative director of Factory International in Manchester, has been named artistic director of the 26th Biennale of Sydney, scheduled for 2028. He recently curated Ai Weiwei's exhibition and performance 'Button Up!' at Factory International, which runs until 6 September. The 25th edition, which closed on 14 June, was marred by controversy: artistic director Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi skipped the media preview, and a police investigation into DJ Haram's comments was dropped. Low, a friend of Al Qasimi, emphasized connecting with Indigenous communities and addressing racial hatred, referencing the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion in Sydney. He aims to foster deep conversations through art, countering social media's superficiality. The previous edition faced criticism over the White Bay Power Station venue's scale, but Low is undeterred, citing Manchester's industrial spaces. Prior to Factory International (2022), he was founding director of the Singapore Biennale, artistic director of the Singapore Arts Festival, associate artistic director of TheatreWorks, and head of theatre at West Kowloon Cultural District Authority. CEO Barbara Moore praised his vision of warmth and kindness. Ai Weiwei's 24-hour durational performance 'Sewing a Button' reenacted his 2011 detention; he previously contributed to the 21st Biennale of Sydney.