Somali Pavilion at Venice Biennale Faces Backlash Over Exclusion of Local Artists

The inaugural national pavilion of Somalia at the 61st Venice Biennale, named SADDEXLEEY, is facing criticism for not including artists from Somalia. The Somalia Arts Foundation (SAF) has voiced concerns over the selection of diaspora artists, which includes Somali-Swedish Ayan Farfah, Somali-Danish Asmaa Jama, and Somali-British Warsan Shire. Sagal Ali from SAF expressed disappointment over the absence of local artist consultation. The Somali queer collective Warbixinta Cidda criticized Italian co-curator Fabio Scrivanti, linking him to Italy's colonial history. Scrivanti collaborated with Mohamed Mire, while Abdirahman Yusuf Mohamud is the commissioner. SAF alleged intimidation from the organizers. Somali-American poet Ladan Osman chose to boycott, citing an overlooked selection process, as protests erupted at the Biennale demanding Scrivanti's removal.