Artists and pavilion teams withdraw from Venice Biennale Visitor Lions
Updated
Updated · Hyperallergic · May 9
Artists and pavilion teams withdraw from Venice Biennale Visitor Lions
16 articles · Updated · Hyperallergic · May 9
As the 61st Biennale opens in Venice, 54 artists and 16 national pavilion exhibitors said they were opting out in solidarity with the awards jury's April 30 resignation.
The Biennale Foundation had replaced the Golden Lions with public-voted Visitor Lions after the jury quit following a dispute over excluding Israel and Russia from prizes.
The reversal followed legal warnings from Israel Pavilion artist Belu-Simion Fainaru and came amid protests at the Israeli and Russian pavilions and a strike that shut several venues.
When artists reject their own awards, what is the value of a prize?
Is the Venice Biennale a neutral stage for art or a political battleground?
61st Venice Biennale Rocked by Protests, Withdrawals, and a Shift to Public-Voted Awards
Overview
The 61st Venice Biennale, opening on May 9, 2026, was marked by intense political tension, leading to the resignation of the International Jury and a wave of artist and national pavilion withdrawals. This unprecedented upheaval left a significant void in the event and challenged its traditional structure. In response, the Biennale Foundation replaced the expert-judged Gold Lion awards with public-voted 'Visitor Lions,' aiming to restore impartiality and uphold inclusion. These dramatic changes reflect the deep discontent and coordinated protests, highlighting how political and ethical debates have reshaped one of the art world's most prestigious exhibitions.