The Venice Biennale has unveiled the full roster of artists for its 61st edition, and the exhibition carries a weight that extends beyond the work itself.
Titled "In Minor Keys," the 2026 showcase realises the vision of the late curator Koyo Kouoh, who passed away last May before seeing the project through. A team of advisors she appointed prior to her death, including Gabe Beckhurst Feijoo, Marie Helen Pereira, Rasha Salti and critic Siddhartha Mitter, will carry the exhibition to completion.
Among the 111 participants are individual artists, collaborative duos, collectives and artist-led organisations. There will be no Golden Lion lifetime achievement award this year, as Kouoh had not yet made her selections. The decision to leave the honour vacant rather than appoint someone posthumously speaks to the respect the art world holds for her curatorial integrity.
The exhibition opens in May at its traditional home across the Giardini and Arsenale venues. While significantly smaller than recent editions in terms of artist count, the focused scale reflects Kouoh's belief in depth over breadth.
"In Minor Keys" promises to be one of the most emotionally charged Biennales in recent memory, a tribute to a curator whose influence on contemporary art was profound and whose absence will be felt throughout the halls she helped shape.