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The Latest Breaking News from Venice Biennale

Yayoi Kusama once sold 1,500 mirrored balls for $2 each at the 1966 Venice Biennale without an official invitation; decades later one of her artworks sold for $10.5 million

Yayoi Kusama: Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, whose death was reported on August 27, 2026, once sold 1,500 mirrored balls for about $2 each at the 1966 Venice Biennale despite having no official invitation. Decades later, her artworkUntitled (Nets)(1959)sold for $10.5 million in 2022, Reuters reported.

The Economic Times

Venice Biennale 61: Patti Smith and Soundwalk Collective's ritual performance

Patti Smith performed texts and hymns by Saint Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th-century Benedictine nun, at the official opening of the Holy See's Vatican Pavilion.

Euronews

A shattered Biennale

The grandiose and oldest international art event, La Biennale di Venezia (Venice Biennale), opened its 61st edition under the theme "In Minor Keys" by artistic director Koyo Kouoh. The events that built up to the opening last month were far from minor due to various protests that trumpeted loud ripple…

Bangkok Post

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This year’s Venice Biennale marks a major shift in European cultural politics

I was texting a museum director friend in Asia recently. We were discussing whether a trip to this year’s “artworld Olympics”, the Venice Biennale, justified the carbon release.

The Conversation

OPINION - The posturing over the inclusion of Russia and Israel is a betrayal of Venice’s vision

It feels wrong to cancel artists because you disapprove of what their countries are up to, writes Melanie McDonagh

Evening Standard

Inside Qatar’s Venice Biennale exhibition on hospitality, migration and belonging

From sculptural water vessels to spice-filled kitchens, Qatar’s Venice Biennale exhibition explores identity, hospitality and cultural exchange across the Arab world and its diasporas through sound, movement and shared meals.

Euronews

Qatar makes Venice Biennale debut with pavilion built on collaboration, food and live art

Led by artist Rirkrit Tiravanija, the project brings together artists, musicians and chefs from across the Arab world.

Euronews

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Khaled Sabsabi is finally at the Venice Biennale: ‘Being here is already a win’

Australia’s representative at the world’s biggest art show has not one but two works on show – a major achievement and happy ending to a year of controversy and protest

The Guardian - AU

An outsider artist takes the world's biggest stage with the US Pavilion at the Venice Biennale

U.S. artist Alma Allen had just months to prepare his exhibition for the Venice Biennale after a fraught selection process came down to the wire

The Independent UK

What Iran’s absence from the Venice Biennale reveals about art and politics

Just days before the opening of the 2026 Venice Biennale, organisers announced that Iran would no longer participate.

The Conversation

From Eurovision to the Venice Biennale, culture contests are being overshadowed by politics

The Venice Biennale, Eurovision and Cannes are framed as artists representing their nations. But in a fractured world national identity seems increasingly futile

The Guardian - UK

Pussy Riot stage protest blocking access to Russian pavilion at Venice Biennale

Members of punk group Pussy Riot and Ukraine's FEMEN organization have staged a protest at the Russian pavilion at the Venice Biennale

The Independent UK

Long road to Venice: Australia's entry finally on show

Australia's Venice Biennale entry is on display, more than a year after the artist and curator were ditched from the job, sparking a raging controversy.

AAP

Ukraine war briefing: Death toll from strikes across Ukraine rises to 27; Russia shunned at Venice Biennale

Strikes came hours before deadline for Kyiv ceasefire proposal and were one of the worst wave of attacks this year

The Guardian - AU

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The Guardian - UK

Dark clouds, protests and resignations dampen start of 61st Venice Biennale

Russian pavilion to stay closed as outcry over Israel’s inclusion also grows – but nesting seagull provides some light relief

The Independent UK

Venice Biennale previews in chaos after jury quits over Israel and Russia’s participation

The Venice Biennale has begun previewing its 61st edition only days after the art show's jury resigned in protest

Euronews

Iran exits Venice Biennale as tensions remains high in Middle East

The Islamic Republic of Iran has withdrawn from the 2026 Venice Biennale just days before the opening exhibition as fears remain high of renewed conflict in the Middle East.

The Guardian - UK

‘We put our heads above the parapet’: Lubaina Himid on winning her 40-year battle to storm the Venice Biennale

In the 1980s, she had to show her work in a corridor by the ICA’s toilet. Now she’s representing Britain at the ‘art Olympics’. So is the artist feeling a bit establishment? Quite the reverse

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Evening Standard

Artist Chris Levine’s latest installation is ‘art on a cosmic scale’

Projected vertically into the sky, it marks the opening of the Venice Biennale 2026.

The Conversation

The Venice Biennale jury has resigned, proving art institutions cannot remain separate from politics

The Venice Biennale is the most prestigious recurring event in contemporary art, often described as the Olympics of the art world.

The Guardian - UK

‘It has become a symbol of hope’: the epic journey of Ukraine’s origami deer to the Venice biennale

As cities emptied on the eve of Russia’s full-scale invasion, artist Zhanna Kadyrova’s defiant concrete sculpture began its odyssey to this year’s festival

The Guardian - UK

Venice Biennale jury quits amid row over participation of Russia

Decision follows backlash from Italian government and European Commission

The Independent UK

Venice Biennale’s international jury resigns amid dispute over Russia’s participation

The international jury of the Venice Biennale has resigned

Euronews

Italian Culture Minister shuns opening of Venice Biennale due to Russia pavilion

Moscow has not participated in the Biennale since 2022. This year, it received the approval of the president of the Biennale Foundation, Pietrangelo Buttafuoco. The decision caused tensions within the Italian government and Brussels.

The Independent UK

EU pulls $2.4 million from Venice Biennale over Russia's return

The Venice Biennale has lost 2-million-euro ($2.4 million) in funding due to its decision to allow Russia to participate in the 61st contemporary art show

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