India Returns to Venice Biennale With Jaffer-Curated Showcase on Memory and Home

Renowned art historian and curator Dr. Amin Jaffer has been appointed as the curator of India’s national pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition — La Biennale di Venezia (Venice Biennale) 2026. This marks India’s return to the prestigious global art event after a seven-year gap — the country last participated in 2019.

Titled “Geographies of Distance: Remembering Home,” the pavilion exhibition explores ideas of home, memory and belonging in a rapidly transforming world. Jaffer has brought together five Indian artists — Alwar Balasubramaniam (Bala), Sumakshi Singh, Ranjani Shettar, Asim Waqif and Skarma Sonam Tashi — whose works use organic and traditional materials to reflect how cultural identity and personal histories shape the sense of home.

The salute to India’s artistic diversity is being presented by the Ministry of Culture, in partnership with the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre and the Serendipity Arts Foundation. The pavilion will run from May 9 to November 22, 2026, at the Venice Biennale’s Arsenale venue, and will also feature performances, talks and interdisciplinary programmes designed to deepen engagement with the pavilion’s themes.

Dr. Amin Jaffer, a London-based curator and director of the Al Thani Collection, brings extensive global curatorial experience — including leadership roles at Christie’s and major biennials — to the project, helping India present its contemporary artistic voice on the world stage.