Still Joy: From Ukraine into the World is an exhibition at Palazzo Contarini Polignac during the 2026 Venice Biennale, organized by the PinchukArtCentre and Victor Pinchuk Foundation. Featuring artists mainly from Ukraine, the show explores finding joy amid hardship and war, with works including videos of raves in Kyiv by Roman Khimei and Yarema Malashchuk, a candy chandelier installation by Simone Post, and harrowing bodycam footage from Ukrainian soldiers by Yurii Gruzinov and Oleksiy Sai. The exhibition contrasts carefree moments with themes of displacement, loss, and ecological fragility, culminating in a powerful emotional experience for visitors.
The exhibition matters because it delivers a strong, unflinching message about retaining humanity during conflict, set against the backdrop of a Venice Biennale marked by geopolitical tensions and protests over the participation of Russia and Israel. By juxtaposing joy and pain, Still Joy offers a timely reminder of art's ability to ground us and transcend borders, making it a standout presentation that addresses the urgent realities of war while affirming the resilience of the human spirit.