New York Times Critiques US Pavilion Team for 2026 Venice Biennale

The New York Times has scrutinized the team behind the United States pavilion for the 2026 Venice Biennale, highlighting unconventional backgrounds among its organizers. Alma Allen, the artist representing the US, signed with Perrotin shortly after her selection and told the Times that people should judge her work themselves, denying it is political in terms of party politics. Jenni Parido, 37, founded the AAC American Arts Conservancy in 2025 to support US participation; her entrepreneurial experience includes managing a luxury pet food store in Florida, a detail the Times emphasized. Parido appointed Jeffrey Uslip as curator, who gained attention a decade ago for a racial incident in St. Louis. Other artists, such as photographer William Eggleston and sculptor Barbara Chase-Riboud, reportedly declined the role before Allen's nomination. Frank Bardonaro, board president of the AAC, serves as CEO of the Brock Group in Houston, a conglomerate providing scaffolding and insulation. John Mocker, the board secretary, leads LB Industries, a pipe distributor. Artnet also reported on the Times' coverage, which questions the team's qualifications just weeks before the event, sparking widespread perplexity.