Post-Colonial Themes Dominate Global Biennial Circuit
An analysis of 130 biennials over four years reveals a dominant cohort of artists focused on post-colonial historical reckoning, family histories, and bio-art. The most-shown artists include Nolan Oswald Dennis, Kapwani Kiwanga, Tuan Andrew Nguyen, Sammy Baloji, Joana Hadjithomas & Khalil Joreige, Kiluanji Kia Henda, Monira Al Qadiri, and others. Eight of these artists also feature in the upcoming 61st Venice Biennale curated by Koyo Kouoh. Key themes include post-colonial post-conceptualism, alternative histories, critical science fiction, resource extraction, and the politics of plants and water. Sound art and film installation are prevalent. Artists from Africa and the Middle East dominate, reflecting a shift in cultural credibility away from the West. The analysis notes a continuity with previous biennial trends but an intensified focus on colonial memory.
Key facts
- Nolan Oswald Dennis appeared in the most biennials among the analyzed artists.
- Eight artists from the top list are in the 61st Venice Biennale 'In Minor Keys' curated by Koyo Kouoh.
- Kapwani Kiwanga's 'Flowers for Africa' recreates floral arrangements from African liberation ceremonies.
- Tuan Andrew Nguyen creates mobiles from Vietnam War bomb remnants.
- Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige made 'The Lebanese Rocket Society' about the space race.
- Monira Al Qadiri's sculptures mimic oil drill bits.
- Sky Hopinka's film 'Kicking the Clouds' uses audio of his grandmother learning Pechanga.
- Lawrence Abu Hamdan's 'Air Conditioning' critiques Israeli policies in Lebanon.
Entities
Artists
- Ali Eyal
- Apichatpong Weerasethakul
- Basel Abbas
- Ruanne Abou-Rahme
- Carolina Caycedo
- Christian Nyampeta
- Joana Hadjithomas
- Khalil Joreige
- Jumana Manna
- Kader Attia
- Kapwani Kiwanga
- Kiluanji Kia Henda
- Lawrence Abu Hamdan
- Monira Al Qadiri
- Nolan Oswald Dennis
- Raven Chacon
- Saodat Ismailova
- Sammy Baloji
- Seba Calfuqueo
- Sky Hopinka
- Tabita Rezaire
- Tarek Atoui
- Torkwase Dyson
- Tuan Andrew Nguyen
- Koyo Kouoh
- Frantz Fanon
- James Bridle
- Alicja Kwade
- Marguerite Humeau
- Ian Cheng
- Bogosi Sekhukhuni
Institutions
- Artnet News
- Venice Biennale
- Art Basel Unlimited
- Galerie Jérôme Poggi
- Goodman Gallery
- Tanja Wagner
- James Cohan Gallery
- Seoul Mediacity Biennale
- Seoul Museum of Art
- Whitney Biennial
- Bienal de São Paulo
- NTU
- Sada
- Darva
- Boda Boda Lounge
- Sonic Acts Biennale
- Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
- Kunsthaus Bregenz
- Galerie Chantal Crousel
- AMAKABA
- François Ghebaly Gallery
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Basel
- Switzerland
- Paris
- France
- Johannesburg
- South Africa
- Berlin
- Germany
- New York
- United States
- Seoul
- South Korea
- São Paulo
- Brazil
- Amsterdam
- Netherlands
- Sydney
- Australia
- Bregenz
- Austria
- French Guyana
- Los Angeles
- Jerusalem
- Israel
- Lebanon
- Central Asia
- Africa
- Middle East
- Gaza
- Iran