Mark Francis's 'Sea of Sound' at San Marino Pavilion, Venice Biennale 2026

The San Marino Pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale (2026) presents 'Sea of Sound', a solo exhibition of Northern Irish painter Mark Francis (b. 1962, Newtownards). Curated by Luca Tommasi, the show at Tana Art Space (Fondamenta de la Tana 2111, Venice) runs from May 9 to November 22, 2026. Francis's large-scale abstract paintings explore the intersection of art, science, and perception, using layered chromatic bands to evoke sound frequencies and vibrational energies. The exhibition includes the video-film 'Listening Field' in collaboration with Ian Cross and Marco Genovesi. Francis, who studied at St. Martin's School of Art (1981–1985) and Chelsea School of Art (1986), has exhibited at institutions including the Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery, Milton Keynes Gallery, and the Royal Academy's 'Sensation' show (1997). His work is held in collections such as Tate Gallery, IMMA Ireland, and Arts Council England. Tommasi, born in Monza in 1972, has curated over 25 exhibitions in public institutions internationally and authored 'Young British Artists: da Frieze a Sensation' (Silvana Editoriale, 2025). The pavilion is commissioned by Valentina Garavini with a scientific committee including Vincenzo Rotondo, Roberto Felicetti, Alessandro Bianchini, and Alessandro Gea, and realized by FR Istituto d’Arte Contemporanea s.p.a.