Dana Awartani, an artist based in Jeddah, will represent Saudi Arabia at the 61st Venice Biennale in 2026, with her pavilion located in the Arsenale under the theme 'Celebrating Visions.' In an interview with ArtReview, Awartani discusses her exhibition, which builds on her practice of foregrounding Arab cultural histories and preserving the region's material heritage. She connects her work to the Biennale's theme 'In Minor Keys' by focusing on repair, healing, and the quiet consequences of conflict, emphasizing craft as a form of quiet resistance against mechanization. The pavilion, she says, reflects the diversity of voices within Saudi Arabia's artistic community rather than a single national narrative.
This article matters because it offers an early, personal insight into one of the most anticipated national pavilions at the Venice Biennale, a major global art event. Awartani's emphasis on craft, heritage, and commonality over nationalism highlights how contemporary artists from the Gulf region are engaging with global themes while rooted in local traditions. Her participation also underscores the growing international visibility of Saudi Arabia's art scene, supported by initiatives like the Visual Arts Commission, and signals the Biennale's continued role as a platform for cross-cultural exchange amid rising nationalism.