THE LATIN/IBERO/AMERICAN PRESENCE AT THE MALTA BIENNALE 2026

The second edition of the Malta Biennale (MB'26) took place from March 11 to May 29, 2026, in historic sites across the Maltese Islands under the curatorial concept "Clean | Clear | Cut," led by artistic director Rosa Martínez. Featuring over 130 artists from more than 50 countries, the biennale included national and thematic pavilions across eleven historic locations managed by Heritage Malta in Valletta, Birgu, Xagħra, and Victoria. The article highlights the notable Latin/Ibero/American presence, with artists from Spain, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Peru presenting works addressing memory, the body, migration, ecology, historical narratives, and power structures.

This coverage matters because it showcases how the Malta Biennale, recognized as the only artistic platform sponsored by UNESCO since its first edition in 2024, serves as a fertile ground for dialogue between contemporary art and the island's rich architectural and archaeological heritage. The inclusion of Latin/Ibero/American artists demonstrates the biennale's global reach and its role in fostering cross-Atlantic conversations on issues like colonialism, extractivism, and identity, while also highlighting the work of specific artists such as Ana Álvarez-Errecalde, Priscilla Monge, and Wilfredo Prieto.