Lubaina Himid has been selected to represent the United Kingdom at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia in 2026 with a major solo installation titled 'Predicting History: Testing Translation' at the British Pavilion. The exhibition, running from May 9 to November 2026, features a new series of large, multipaneled paintings in dazzling colors, surreal settings, and a soundscape created in collaboration with artist Magda Stawarska. Himid, a Turner Prize-winning pioneer of the Black British Art Movement and Emeritus Professor at the University of Central Lancashire, explores themes of belonging, migration, and making a home in a new place.
This commission matters because it marks a significant moment for the British Pavilion, presenting a leading Black British artist whose work challenges dominant histories and reflects the UK as a complex, contemporary space shaped by multiple voices. Himid's participation underscores the ongoing global conversation about identity, migration, and cultural memory in art, while also highlighting the British Council's commitment to artists who reframe how the UK is seen internationally. The exhibition is supported by Frieze and The Henry Moore Foundation, further cementing its institutional and market significance.