Parasol Unit Returns to Venice Biennale with Central Asian Women Artists

Parasol Unit foundation for contemporary art is relaunching its international exhibitions programme during the 61st Venice Biennale with a group show of eleven female artists from Central Asia and the wider East. Curated by Dr Ziba Ardalan, 'TURANDOT: To the Daughters of the East' will be held at ACP–Palazzo Franchetti from 9 May to 31 October 2026. The exhibition features new and iconic works spanning video, installation, sculpture, painting, textile, and sound by artists including Lida Abdul, Afruz Amighi, Huma Bhabha, Hera Büyüktaşcıyan, Mona Hatoum, Saodat Ismailova, Madina Joldybek, Nazira Karimi, Daria Kim, Farideh Lashai, and Tala Madani. The title references Turandot, a figure from Persian literature who first appeared in Nezami Ganjavi's 12th-century epic 'Haft Paykar' and was later adapted by Puccini. The name Turandokht means 'daughter of Turan', a historical region corresponding to modern Central Asia. The exhibition honours women artists from these regions and will be accompanied by a publication and a programme of talks and performances.