Venice Biennale 2026: Artists Explore Sexuality and Identity
At the Venice Biennale, Ocula's editors spotlight ten artists delving into themes of sexuality, identity, and the body. Gabrielle Goliath, initially selected for South Africa's pavilion, showcases 'Elegy,' a video installation that tackles issues of femicide and Palestinian rights, despite her invitation being rescinded. The Austrian pavilion is transformed into a dystopian amusement park with Florentina Holzinger's 'Seaworld Venice.' Dries Verhoeven's 'The Fortress' critiques the national spectacle of the biennale. Maja Malou Lyse's film 'Things to Come' reflects on decreasing sperm counts. Nicholas Hlobo presents mixed-media works celebrating Xhosa heritage. Eglė Budvytytė’s 'Animism Sings Anarchy' explores goddess-centric theories. The Swiss pavilion revisits a 1978 TV debate on homosexuality, while Alexa Kumiko Hatanaka addresses climate change. Bugarin + Castle's 'Shame Parade' reinterprets medieval shaming, and Marina Abramović is featured at Gallerie dell'Accademia.
Key facts
- Gabrielle Goliath's invitation to represent South Africa was revoked but she will show 'Elegy' as a video installation.
- Florentina Holzinger's 'Seaworld Venice' turns the Austrian pavilion into an underwater theme park.
- Dries Verhoeven's 'The Fortress' uses steel shutters to isolate the Dutch pavilion.
- Maja Malou Lyse's film 'Things to Come' addresses declining sperm counts and reproductive technology.
- Nicholas Hlobo returns to the Arsenale with rubber and ribbon works exploring Xhosa heritage and queer identity.
- Eglė Budvytytė's Lithuanian pavilion draws on Marija Gimbutas's feminist theory of 'Old Europe.'
- The Swiss pavilion re-enacts a 1978 TV debate on homosexuality.
- Alexa Kumiko Hatanaka uses washi paper and gyotaku to address climate change and queer identity.
- Bugarin + Castle's 'Shame Parade' reimagines medieval shaming rituals for Scotland.
- Marina Abramović is the first living woman to exhibit at the Gallerie dell'Accademia.
Entities
Artists
- Gabrielle Goliath
- Florentina Holzinger
- Dries Verhoeven
- Maja Malou Lyse
- Nicholas Hlobo
- Eglė Budvytytė
- Nina Wakeford
- Alexa Kumiko Hatanaka
- Davide Bugarin
- Angel Cohn Castle
- Marina Abramović
- Ulay
- Marija Gimbutas
- Irene Schweizer
- Hairy Teddy Bear
- Pollyfilla
- Aline Bouvy
- Miet Warlop
- Zhanna Kadyrova
- Lubaina Himid
- Oriol Vilanova
- Alma Allen
- Sara Flores
- Amina Agueznay
- Malika Benmoumen
- Daniel Kotowski
- Bogna Burska
- Anca Benera
- Arnold Estefán
- Hans Ulrich Obrist
- Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça
- Soundwalk Collective
Institutions
- Ocula
- Venice Biennale
- South Africa's arts and culture ministry
- Cryos International
- Endocrine News
- Gallerie dell'Accademia
- Museo delle Civiltà
- Grotta Scaloria
- Pollyanna
- White Cube
- The Shipibo Conibo Center
- Bakish Mai Multiversity
- UNESCO
- Santa Maria Ausiliatrice
- Giardini
- Arsenale
- Beaux Arts Magazine
- Festival d'Automne
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- South Africa
- Austria
- Netherlands
- Switzerland
- Lithuania
- Scotland
- Japan
- Canada
- Rome
- Apulia
- Arsenale
- Giardini
- Luxembourg
- Belgium
- Ukraine
- Pokrovsk
- United Kingdom
- Spain
- United States
- Peru
- Pucallpa
- Ucayali
- Amazon rainforest
- Morocco
- Casablanca
- Romania
- Black Sea
- Poland
- Vatican City
- Cannaregio
- Giudecca
- Berlin
- Paris
- New York