El Salvador will debut its own national pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale, running from May 9 to November 22, 2025. The exhibition, titled "Cartographies of Displacement," features the sculptural series "Children of the World" by Salvadoran-American artist J. Oscar Molina, curated by Alejandra Cabezas and commissioned by Dr. Astrid Bahamond. The pavilion is located at Palazzo Mora, showcasing Molina's elongated, faceless monumental figures that explore the migrant experience and global diaspora.
This debut marks a significant milestone for El Salvador's cultural diplomacy, as the country had previously only participated through the Italo-Latin American Institute (IILA). The exhibition addresses urgent global themes of displacement, migration, and belonging, reflecting both the artist's personal history growing up during El Salvador's civil war and the collective struggles of displaced communities worldwide. It positions Salvadoran contemporary art on one of the most prestigious international stages.