V&A Renovates South Asia Gallery, Busan Biennale 2026, and More
The South Asia gallery at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London has been shut down for a £4 million refurbishment, spearheaded by Gibson Thornley and supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Scheduled to reopen in early 2028, the revamped gallery will reinterpret its collection of over 50,000 artifacts, confront colonial narratives, and for the first time, showcase modern and contemporary artworks, including contributions from Bangladesh through a collaboration with the Durjoy Bangladesh Foundation. Meanwhile, the Busan Biennale 2026, themed "Dissident Chorus," will take place from August 29 to November 1, featuring 44 artists from 23 nations at the Busan Museum of Contemporary Art and two locations on Yeongdo island. On May 27, Creative Australia announced the recipients of the 2026 First Nations Arts and Culture Awards, with the Red Ochre Awards going to Bronwyn Bancroft, Stephen Pigram, Djambawa Marawili AM, and Hetti Kemarre Perkins, among others. Additionally, South Korean ceramicist Jongjin Park received the 2026 LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize for his work "Strata of Illusion," which is currently displayed at the National Gallery Singapore until June 14.
Key facts
- V&A South Asia gallery closed for renovation, first update in 30 years.
- Renovation costs £4 million (USD 5.4 million), with initial £250,000 from National Lottery Heritage Fund.
- Gibson Thornley architecture studio leading the redesign.
- Gallery to reopen in early 2028.
- Collection includes over 50,000 objects; will feature modern and contemporary art for first time.
- Five-year partnership with Durjoy Bangladesh Foundation for acquisitions, commissions, and research.
- Busan Biennale 2026 'Dissident Chorus' runs August 29 to November 1.
- Artistic directors: Amal Khalaf and Evelyn Simons.
- 44 artists from 23 countries announced; approximately 7 more to be confirmed.
- Venues: Busan Museum of Contemporary Art, former Busan Nam High School campus, and Space OneZ on Yeongdo island.
- Creative Australia First Nations Arts and Culture Awards held May 27.
- Red Ochre Awards (AUD 60,000 each) to Bronwyn Bancroft, Stephen Pigram, Djambawa Marawili AM, Hetti Kemarre Perkins.
- Hayley Millar Baker received Youth Award; John Harvey received Established Artist of the Year.
- First Nations Arts Fellowships: Daen John-Sansbury-Smith and Maurial Spearim.
- Jongjin Park won 2026 LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize for 'Strata of Illusion'.
- Prize exhibition at National Gallery Singapore from May 13 to June 14.
- LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize established in 2016.
Entities
Artists
- Jongjin Park
- Bronwyn Bancroft
- Stephen Pigram
- Djambawa Marawili AM
- Hetti Kemarre Perkins
- Hayley Millar Baker
- John Harvey
- Daen John-Sansbury-Smith
- Maurial Spearim
- Julien Creuzet
- Dew Kim
- Jota Mombaça
- Anti Ribeiro
- Amal Khalaf
- Evelyn Simons
- Tristram Hunt
- Franchesca Cubillo
Institutions
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- National Lottery Heritage Fund
- Gibson Thornley
- Durjoy Bangladesh Foundation
- Busan Biennale
- Busan Museum of Contemporary Art
- Busan Nam High School
- Space OneZ
- Creative Australia
- LOEWE FOUNDATION
- National Gallery Singapore
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Busan
- South Korea
- Yeongdo island
- Paris
- France
- Seoul
- Brazil
- Australia
- Singapore
- Madrid
- Spain