Nepali visual artist and photographer Jyoti Shrestha, 29, will exhibit her photography collection ‘Chhyake’ in the official collateral exhibition ‘Personal Structures’ at the 61st Venice Biennale in 2026. Organized by the European Cultural Centre (ECC), the exhibition runs from May 9 to November 22, 2026, and features 150 international artists. Shrestha’s work explores intergenerational shame, body politics, and identity, drawing on the Nepali word ‘Chhyake’—meaning scars from skin disease—to examine inherited perceptions of ugliness within her family.
Shrestha’s inclusion marks a significant milestone for Nepali contemporary art, following Nepal’s first official pavilion at the Biennale in 2022. Her participation highlights the growing visibility of Nepali voices in global contemporary art discourse, though she notes the lack of government support for her journey. The Venice Biennale, founded in 1895, remains one of the most influential platforms for contemporary art worldwide.