Jury of the 2026 Venice Biennale resigns over controversial decision
Kyiv • UNN
The international jury of the 2026 Venice Biennale has resigned. The reason was a demand to exclude Russia and Israel from the competition due to ICC allegations.
The international jury of the 61st Venice Biennale of Art has resigned on the eve of the event's opening. This was reported by ArtReview, according to UNN.
Details
In a brief statement, the jury members announced that they are resigning their positions effective April 30, 2026. The reason cited is their previously published stance regarding the participation of certain countries in the competition program.
This refers to a statement from April 22, which proposed excluding countries whose leaders are accused of crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court from the competition for the main awards—the "Golden" and "Silver Lions." In effect, this concerned Russia and Israel.
As of April 30, 2026, we, the international jury selected by artistic director Koyo Kouoh, are resigning. We do so in recognition of our statement of intent dated April 22, 2026
The jury was chaired by Solange Oliveira Farkas, founder and artistic director of Associação Cultural Videobrasil. Its members also included curator Zoe Butt, artistic director of the Public Art Abu Dhabi biennial Elvira Dyangani Ose, Yale School of Art professor Marta Kuzma, and art historian Giovanna Zapperi.
The Biennale is scheduled to open on May 9. It is currently unknown how the jury's resignation will affect the conduct of the event and the determination of winners.
As a reminder
The Italian Ministry of Culture investigated the Biennale due to Russia's admission to the 2026 exhibition. The EU threatened to cancel two million euros in funding for the event.