Sonia Boyce and Simone Leigh Make History as First Black Women to Win Venice Biennale Golden Lions

At the 59th Venice Biennale, Sonia Boyce and Simone Leigh received Golden Lions, marking the first time Black women have secured the top honors in the event's 127-year history. Boyce earned the award for Best National Participation through her British Pavilion exhibition Feeling Her Way, while Leigh was named Best Participant for her contributions to the central exhibition The Milk of Dreams, curated by Cecilia Alemani. Both artists are also the first Black women to represent their countries at the Biennale, with Leigh presenting Sovereignty in the US Pavilion. The jury praised Boyce for her collaborative approach with other Black women, which uncovers silenced stories through sonic exploration, and commended Leigh for her rigorously researched, monumental sculptures that powerfully open the Arsenale. Additional awards included the Silver Lion for promising young participant Ali Cherri, and special mentions for Zineb Sedira, the Ugandan pavilion featuring Acaye Kerunen and Collin Sekajugo, and artists Shuvinai Ashoona and Lynn Hershman Leeson. Lifetime Achievement Golden Lions, announced earlier, went to Cecilia Vicuña and Katharina Fritsch. The jury comprised Adrienne Edwards, Lorenzo Giusti, Julieta González, Bonaventure Son Beijing Ndikung, and Susanne Pfeffer.