Two Canadian artists, Bonnie Devine and Alexa Kumiko Hatanaka, have joined over 100 artists in signing an open letter demanding their names be removed from a new people's choice award ballot at the Venice Biennale. The award was introduced after the Biennale's official jury resigned in protest over the participation of Russia and Israel, both of which have been charged with war crimes by the International Criminal Court. The Biennale has refused to remove the artists' names, citing visitors' freedom of expression, prompting the group to publish the letter online and threaten legal action.
This dispute matters because it highlights a growing tension between institutional politics and artistic dissent at one of the world's most prestigious art events. The jury's resignation and the artists' boycott reflect deep divisions over how art institutions should respond to geopolitical conflicts, particularly the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. The outcome could set a precedent for how biennials and major exhibitions handle protests, censorship, and the role of awards in deflecting political accountability.