Sara Shamma to Represent Syria at 61st Venice Biennale with Multimedia Installation on Palmyra
In 2026, artist Sara Shamma will represent Syria at the 61st Venice Biennale with a solo exhibition. Commissioned by the Ministry of Culture, the Syrian pavilion will feature Shamma's multimedia work titled 'The Tower Tomb of Palmyra,' which draws inspiration from ancient funerary towers that were destroyed during the Syrian War. Curated by Yuko Hasegawa, this exhibition will take place at the Cotonificio campus of the Università IUAV di Venezia. It aims to highlight the history of Palmyra and Syria's cultural heritage, particularly focusing on antiquities that were looted from 2011 to 2024. The Biennale, which runs from May 9 to November 22, 2026, symbolizes Syria's renewed cultural involvement following its political turmoil.
Key facts
- Sara Shamma represents Syria at the 61st Venice Biennale in 2026
- The pavilion is curated by Yuko Hasegawa and commissioned by the Ministry of Culture
- Exhibition 'The Tower Tomb of Palmyra' is a multimedia immersive installation
- It draws inspiration from Palmyra's funerary towers destroyed in the Syrian War
- The pavilion addresses looting of antiquities from 2011 to 2024 and calls for their return
- Shamma has over 25 solo exhibitions, including at the National Museum of Damascus and Dulwich Picture Gallery
- Hasegawa previously directed the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa
- The Biennale dates are May 9 to November 22, 2026
Entities
Artists
- Sara Shamma
- Yuko Hasegawa
Institutions
- Ministry of Culture
- Università IUAV di Venezia
- National Museum of Damascus
- Dulwich Picture Gallery
- King's College London
- British Council
- UAE Ministry of Culture
- 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
- Canvas
- Venice Biennale
- Syrian Pavilion
- United Nations World Food Programme
- Kyoto University Graduate School of Management
- International House of Japan
- Inujima Art House Project
- 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa
- Ruth Borchard Self-Portrait Prize
- Asian Women of Achievement Awards
- Waterhouse Natural History Art Prize
- Latakia Biennial
- ArtAsiaPacific
Locations
- Syria
- Venice
- Italy
- Palmyra
- Damascus
- London
- United Kingdom
- Kanazawa
- Japan
- Istanbul
- Turkey
- Shanghai
- China
- São Paulo
- Brazil
- Sharjah
- United Arab Emirates
- Moscow
- Russia
- Thailand
- France
- Tokyo
- Kyoto