Faiza Butt, the artist representing Pakistan at the 61st Venice Biennale (2026), discusses her plans for the national pavilion in an interview with ArtReview. Her project draws from the cultural history of Punjab, incorporating folk crafts, intergenerational textile techniques, natural dyes, and collaboration with women artisans. The pavilion will be located at Spazio 996/A, Fondamenta Sant’Ana, and the Biennale runs from 9 May to 22 November 2026. Butt emphasizes a two-pronged approach: preserving historic knowledge and engaging socially through art.
This interview matters because it highlights Pakistan's rare participation in a major global art event, underscoring the role of national pavilions in fostering cultural exchange amid rising nationalism. Butt positions art as a universal language that transcends divisions, aiming to introduce lesser-known traditions and shared histories to an international audience. Her focus on endangered craft practices and community engagement also reflects broader conversations about sustainability, heritage preservation, and the social responsibility of artists in the contemporary art world.