Monumental Works Dominate the 2022 Venice Biennale
The 59th Venice Biennale, under the curation of Cecilia Alemani and named 'The Milk of Dreams,' showcases an extraordinary array of monumental art, signaling a departure from conventional perceptions of large-scale works. This year's event boasts the most diverse roster of artists since 1895. Simone Leigh received the Golden Lion for her sculptures in the US Pavilion, while Sonia Boyce was honored for her contributions to the British Pavilion. Among the standout pieces are Kehinde Wiley's portraits, Louise Bonnet's artwork, Katharina Fritsch's elephant sculpture, and Igshaan Adams's tapestry. In protest of the invasion of Ukraine, the Russian Pavilion was closed. Other significant highlights include Maria Eichhorn's examination of Nazi history and Anselm Kiefer's paintings reflecting the devastation of Mariupol. The abundance of XXL artworks underscores pressing contemporary concerns.
Key facts
- The 59th Venice Biennale, 'The Milk of Dreams,' curated by Cecilia Alemani, features an unprecedented number of monumental artworks.
- Simone Leigh won the Golden Lion for Best Participant for her massive sculptures of Black women at the US Pavilion.
- Sonia Boyce won the Golden Lion for Best National Participation for the British Pavilion.
- The Russian Pavilion was closed by curator Raimundas Malašauskas and artists Kirill Savchenkov and Alexandra Sukhareva in protest against the invasion of Ukraine.
- Anselm Kiefer's 8.4-meter-tall paintings at Palazzo Ducale evoke the destruction of Mariupol.
- Maria Eichhorn excavated the German Pavilion to reveal its Nazi history.
- Igshaan Adams created a ten-meter-wide tapestry mapping 'desire lines' of migrants in Cape Town.
- The Biennale features the most inclusive artist list in its history since 1895.
Entities
Artists
- Cecilia Alemani
- Simone Leigh
- Sonia Boyce
- Kehinde Wiley
- Louise Bonnet
- Katharina Fritsch
- Igshaan Adams
- Latifa Echakhch
- Wu Tsang
- Yunchul Kim
- Jacqueline Humphries
- Gian Maria Tosatti
- Marco Fusinato
- Maria Eichhorn
- Ignasi Aballi
- Raimundas Malašauskas
- Kirill Savchenkov
- Alexandra Sukhareva
- Charline von Heyl
- Małgorzata Mirga-Tas
- Daniel Richter
- Anselm Kiefer
- Zineb Sedira
- Valerie Solanas
- Andy Warhol
- Sanford White
- Daniela Salvioni
Institutions
- La Biennale di Venezia
- Palazzo Ducale
- US Pavilion
- British Pavilion
- French Pavilion
- Swiss Pavilion
- German Pavilion
- Spanish Pavilion
- Russian Pavilion
- Australian Pavilion
- Italian Pavilion
- Polish Pavilion
- Korean Pavilion
- Palazzo Schifanoia
- Scuola Grande di San Fantin
- Gagosian
- Artribune
- Primavera Project
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Giardini
- Arsenale
- Cape Town
- South Africa
- Mariupol
- Ukraine
- Paris
- France
- Ferrara
- Chicago
- United States