Under the title “Foreigners everywhere”, the 60th Venice Biennale spotlights the art of the Global South. The exhibition, curated by the Biennale’s first curator from Latin America, Adriano Pedroso, showcases work from marginalized groups — especially indigenous artists.

Venice

The 60th Venice Biennale, under the enticing title "Foreigners everywhere," focuses its lens on the art of the Global South, marking a significant shift in the artistic narrative towards inclusivity and diversity. This year's exhibition, a pioneering endeavor curated by Adriano Pedroso, the Biennale's first curator from Latin America, is a vibrant celebration that brings forward the voices and works of marginalized groups, particularly emphasizing the contributions of indigenous artists.

A striking 700-square-meter mural of the Amazon, crafted by the Huni Kuin indigenous people from Brazil and Peru, adorns the entire façade of the central pavilion, setting an immersive tone for the exhibition. The Huni Kuin's art, rich with tradition and spiritual identity despite a tumultuous history of persecution and displacement, encapsulates the spirit of the rainforest. Their collective artwork, born from the oldest language of the Huni Kuin, Hacha Queen, stands as a testament to the enduring legacy and importance of art as a link to ancestral heritage.

Curator Adriano Brajosa, with a decade's experience as the artistic director of the Sao Paulo Museum of Art, brings a deep understanding of indigenous art from his native Brazil to the global stage. The Biennale's focus on artists from the Global South aims to shift perspectives and celebrate a world of diversity through art. Brajosa's selection, inspired by neon sculptures by the artist collective Clairefontaine, explores the expansive concept of "foreigners," encompassing queer artists facing persecution and indigenous painters who feel marginalized.

This year's Biennale features groundbreaking representations, including Jeffrey Gibson, the first gay and Native American artist to represent the U.S. with a solo exhibition, and Carl Nutschers Stork, an Inuk artist from Greenland, who presents a nuanced portrayal of Greenlandic modern life amidst its complex historical ties to Denmark. Additionally, the Republic of Benin makes its inaugural appearance, showcasing the spiritual power of Yoruba women and the rich traditions of voodoo, marking an important milestone in the representation of cultures often underrepresented on the international stage.

By prioritizing the art of the Global South and providing a platform for voices from marginalized communities, the 60th Venice Biennale endeavors to enrich and expand the contours of art history, inviting a global audience to reconsider the narrative of art through a more inclusive and diverse lens.



2024 Venice Biennale highlights art of the Global South

A 700-square-meter mural of the Amazon covers the entire façade of the central pavilion. It's the work of artists from the Huni Kuin indigenous people from Brazil and Peru, and brings the spirit of the rainforest directly to the Venice Biennale. Despite a history of persecution and displacement, they've preserved their traditions and spiritual identity. The whole community paints what he's singing. And he's singing Hacha Queen, which is the oldest language of the Huni Kuin. That's why art is very important to us, because it's the continuation of our ancestors. Curator Adriano Brajosa is well acquainted with the indigenous art of his native Brazil. For the past decade, he's been the artistic director of the Sao Paulo Museum of Art. This Biennale focuses on artists from the global south and celebrates changing perspectives. Art can't change the world, but it can change how we feel the world, how we see the world, how we interpret the world, how we engage with the world. And that indeed can be something that changes. Brajosa's chosen title, Foreigners Everywhere, is inspired by a series of neon sculptures by artist collective Clairefontaine. Brajosa expands the concept of foreigner to include the queer artist that faces persecution at home, or the indigenous painter who feels marginalized. Jeffrey Gibson is the first gay and Native American artist ever to represent the U.S. with a solo exhibition. Carl Nutschers Stork, an Inuk artist, showcases his native Greenland in new and authentic ways in the Danish pavilion. The work is based on the frustrations and confusions of the Greenlandic modern life, which has been made quite complex because of Greenland being used to be a colony of Denmark. The Republic of Benin is making its inaugural appearance at this Biennale, with works that celebrate the spiritual power of Yoruba women and the deep roots of voodoo. We are very proud to represent our culture because our culture is very important. Important yet still largely unknown on the international stage. By giving prominence to artists who have often been excluded from the great exhibitions of the past, this Biennale aims to add a new chapter to art history.

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