The 25th Biennale of Sydney, titled 'Rememory,' opened on March 14, 2026, across multiple venues including the Art Gallery of New South Wales, White Bay Power Station, and the Sydney Opera House. Artistic director Hoor Al Qasimi curated the event around the concept of 'rememory,' inspired by Toni Morrison's novel *Beloved*, featuring over 143 works by 83 artists and collectives from 37 countries. The biennale centers First Nations voices and diasporic communities, with standout pieces like the Ngurrara Artists' *Ngurrara Canvas II* (1997) and works by Yaritji Young. However, the event has faced controversy due to Al Qasimi's opposition to the war in Gaza, leading to criticism from donors and board members, as well as logistical disruptions from the Iran war affecting the curator and artists.
This biennale matters because it challenges conventional linear storytelling and engages with Australia's complex history, including Aboriginal land rights and the 2005 Cronulla riots, urging audiences to rethink memory and its impact on the future. The political tensions surrounding Al Qasimi's appointment and the event's focus on non-Western and Indigenous art highlight ongoing debates about representation, censorship, and the role of art in addressing societal issues. Despite reduced strength and focus, the biennale reinforces Sydney's position as a platform for politically engaged, community-driven art that interrogates national identity and collective memory.