Filipino artist Pio Abad is presenting a series of intricate, hand-drawn works at the 2026 Venice Biennale as part of the exhibition "In Minor Keys," conceived by the late curator Koyo Kouoh. The works, created over four years with a 0.3-millimeter pen, include pieces such as "I’m Singing a Song That Can Only Be Born After Losing a Country" (first shown at the Ashmolean Museum in 2024), "Banua" (his first drawing on fabric), and "1897.76.36.18.6," which reflects on the looting of the Benin Bronzes. Abad, born in the Philippines and based in London, explores themes of migration, memory, exile, and the itinerant nature of objects and language.
This presentation matters because it positions drawing—often seen as a modest medium—as a monumental practice capable of mapping complex histories of diaspora, colonialism, and displacement. Abad’s work at the Venice Biennale, one of the world’s most prestigious art events, amplifies conversations about how societies hold onto history and how objects carry power across geographies. The exhibition also honors the legacy of Koyo Kouoh, a significant curator who passed away, making this a poignant moment for the global art community.