Interview to discover Theo Eshetu, the only Italian artist at the 2026 Venice Biennale

Theo Eshetu (London, 1958), the only Italian artist invited to the central exhibition "In Minor Keys" of the 2026 Venice Biennale curated by Koyo Kouoh, is profiled in an interview. Born to an Ethiopian father and Dutch mother, Eshetu trained in the Netherlands and London before settling in Rome in the early 1980s. He discusses his cosmopolitan background, his early struggles with belonging, and how he transformed that into artistic strength. The interview covers his career, his memories of the Roman art scene in the 1980s and 1990s, and his current work presented at the Biennale, including the piece "The Return of the Axum Obelisk" (2010).

This interview matters because Eshetu represents a unique perspective at the Venice Biennale, one of the world's most prestigious art events, as the sole Italian participant in the main exhibition. His story highlights themes of diaspora, hybrid identity, and the role of video art in an age of digital mediation. The article also offers insight into the evolution of the Italian art scene and the challenges faced by artists navigating multiple cultural contexts, making it relevant to discussions about global contemporary art and national representation.