Few exhibitions capture the pulse of contemporary art quite like the Venice Biennale. As the 61st edition approaches in April 2026, all eyes turn to curator Koyo Kouoh, the first African woman to lead the event since its inception in 1895. Kouoh has promised an exhibition that is both timely and transformative, aiming to reflect not just the world as it is, but the one we hope to build.

With an emphasis on boundary-pushing practices, this year’s Biennale will showcase artists whose work interrogates national identity, ecological crises, and the shifting landscape of power. Below, we spotlight the key figures and pavilions poised to make an impact.

Pavilions to Watch

Austria: The Body as a Spectacle

Artist: Florentina Holzinger
Curator: Nora-Swantje Almes
Holzinger, known for her radical performances blending acrobatics, opera, and gender discourse, is set to transform Austria’s pavilion into an immersive, high-energy spectacle. Expect physical intensity, theatrical excess, and a reevaluation of the female form in contemporary culture.

Canada: Abbas Akhavan’s Poetic Destruction

Artist: Abbas Akhavan
Akhavan’s practice traverses installation, sculpture, and performance, often centering on themes of home, displacement, and nature. His Venice project is rumored to engage with architectural ruins and ephemeral landscapes, questioning cycles of creation and erasure.

France: Yto Barrada’s Material Histories

Artist: Yto Barrada
Barrada’s multidisciplinary work spans photography, film, and sculpture, frequently exploring themes of colonial history and urban transformation. Her pavilion will likely offer a layered, tactile experience infused with socio-political narratives.

Ireland: Isabel Nolan’s Cosmic Visions

Artist: Isabel Nolan
Curators: Georgina Jackson, The Douglas Hyde Gallery of Contemporary Art
Nolan’s work investigates existential questions through vivid, abstract forms. Her Biennale presentation is expected to intertwine cosmic themes with intimate, earthly materials, creating a dialogue between the infinite and the immediate.

Iceland: Ásta Fanney Sigurðardóttir’s Sonic Sculptures

Artist: Ásta Fanney Sigurðardóttir
Sigurðardóttir, an artist, poet, and musician, crafts dreamlike performances that merge spoken word, sound, and visual art. Her pavilion will likely be an otherworldly fusion of language and sonic landscapes.

Lithuania: Eglė Budvytytė’s Choreographed Environments

Artist: Eglė Budvytytė
Curator: Louise O’Kelly
Budvytytė is renowned for her performative videos exploring the relationship between bodies and landscapes. Her work in Venice is expected to push the boundaries of movement, space, and collective memory.

Aotearoa New Zealand: Fiona Pardington’s Haunting Portraits

Artist: Fiona Pardington
Pardington, a master of photographic portraiture, often examines Māori heritage, colonial legacies, and the spiritual resonance of objects. Her contribution to the Biennale is anticipated to be both visually striking and historically poignant.

The Future of the Biennale

With Koyo Kouoh at the helm, the 2026 Venice Biennale promises to be a landmark edition—one that prioritizes bold narratives, intersectional perspectives, and new modes of engagement. As the list of participating artists and pavilions continues to grow, expect this Biennale to be a mirror to the present moment while projecting a vision of what art, and the world, could become.

Stay tuned for updates as more pavilions announce their artists and themes.