Venice Biennale Reveals Structural Gaps in Global Art Representation
Original framing: “Venice Biennale: The Art of the Unseen” — Al Jazeera
The exclusion of non-Western artists from major exhibitions has deep roots in colonial art systems that prioritized European aesthetics and narratives. These systems were institutionalized through museums and academies that continue to shape contemporary art hierarchies.
The Venice Biennale’s current structure reflects a legacy of colonialism and Eurocentrism in the art world, where institutional power determines who is seen and who is excluded.
By centering the voices of marginalized artists and integrating decolonial practices into curation and funding, the Biennale can evolve into a more inclusive and representative global platform. This transformation requires not only policy changes but also a cultural shift in how art is valued and produced. Institutions like the Biennale must recognize their role in perpetuating exclusion and take active steps to dismantle the systems that exclude non-Western and Indigenous artists. Only then can the art world truly reflect the diversity of human experience.