Morad Montazami has been named the artistic director for the 16th edition of the Dakar Biennale, scheduled to run from November 19 to December 19, 2026. Titled "(Anti)Fragility: Arts of Repair and Counter-Shock Strategies," the exhibition will explore themes of community-led restoration and the transformation of vulnerability into collective strength. Montazami, a former Tate Modern curator and founder of the platform Zamân Books & Curating, brings an extensive background in postcolonial art histories and global modernisms to the prestigious African forum.
This appointment signals a continued focus on decolonial narratives and the intellectual rigor of the Dakar Biennale, one of the most significant platforms for contemporary African art. By selecting a curator known for bridging Arab, African, and Asian modernities, the Biennale reinforces its role as a critical site for South-South dialogue. Montazami’s theme of "repair" aligns with current global museum discourses regarding restitution and institutional healing, positioning the 2026 edition as a timely investigation into how art can navigate and survive systemic shocks.