Anish Kapoor urges US exclusion from Venice Biennale
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 5
Anish Kapoor urges US exclusion from Venice Biennale
4 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 5
The British artist backed a five-member jury’s resignation over Israel and Russia but said the US also merited exclusion; prize judging is now delayed until November.
The 61st Biennale faces wider turmoil as more than 200 participants demand Israel’s pavilion be cancelled and a Friday strike threatens to disrupt this week’s preview.
Russia’s pavilion will stay closed to the public, viewable only through windows, while the European Commission has threatened to suspend or end a €2m grant over Russia’s involvement.
As the EU defunds the Biennale over Russia, are cultural events the new front for international sanctions?
With its jury gone and top awards cancelled, is the Venice Biennale's prestige now permanently damaged?
When artists are told to promote 'national values,' can art truly remain a space for free expression?
How the 2026 Venice Biennale Became a Battleground for Art and International Politics
Overview
The 2026 Venice Biennale became a flashpoint where art and geopolitics collided. In April, the international jury resigned after the Biennale president rejected their call to exclude artists from Israel and Russia due to ICC arrest warrants against their leaders. This led to the cancellation of traditional awards and the introduction of a public vote. Building on this, artist Anish Kapoor demanded the exclusion of the United States, condemning its policies as warmongering, reflecting his long history of activism. Meanwhile, the Biennale maintained the participation of all nations, sparking political backlash including EU threats to withdraw funding and condemnation from Ukraine. The event exposed the deep challenges cultural institutions face balancing artistic freedom with global political pressures.