The 24th edition of Guatemala’s Bienal de Arte Paiz, titled "The World Tree" and curated by Eugenio Viola, runs until 15 February across 11 venues in Antigua and Guatemala City. It features 46 artists from 30 countries, with 31 commissioned works, making it the largest and longest edition in the biennial's history. The organizing non-profit, Fundación Paiz, has also created its first permanent exhibition venue, which soft-launched with a performance by Cuban artist Carlos Martiel.
This edition matters because it reaffirms the biennial's role as Guatemala's leading private contemporary art initiative since 1978, expanding its domestic and international reach. By using the cosmogonic symbol of the World Tree, the exhibition explores themes of interconnection, resistance, and resilience, addressing colonialism, migration, and humanity's relationship with nature. The creation of a permanent venue signals a long-term commitment to sustaining contemporary art in a country that lacks a national contemporary art museum.