Sydney Biennale 2026: Hoor Al Qasimi Unveils Expansive 'Rememory' Program for 25th Edition
The Biennale of Sydney has announced the full details for its landmark 25th edition, set to launch in mid-March 2026. Titled "Rememory", after a term coined by author Toni Morrison, this iteration will explore the intricate intersections of memory and history, aiming to revisit, reconstruct, and reclaim narratives through contemporary art. The program is the brainchild of artistic director Hoor Al Qasimi, marking her as the first Arab and the eighth woman to hold this prestigious role in the festival's 53-year history.
Venues and Artistic Highlights
Spanning five key venues across Sydney, the Biennale will showcase work from 84 artists, collaborations, and collectives representing 37 countries, including a strong Australian contingent. The primary locations include the White Bay Power Station in Rozelle, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and the Penrith Regional Gallery, with the latter making its debut in the event. This edition expands the Biennale's footprint in Western Sydney, also featuring Campbelltown Arts Centre and public programs at sites like Centenary Square in Parramatta, Fairfield City Museum & Gallery, and Redfern Town Hall.
Notable installations include a giant functioning clay oven by Argentinian sculptor Gabriel Chaile at White Bay Power Station, which will serve Peruvian cuisine during the opening weekend and key festival moments. Lebanese artist Mounira Al Solh will present a community-based performance involving a large vat of tabbouleh in Granville. Additionally, the Biennale will host a rare display of the Ngurrara Canvas II, an 80-square-metre painting created by over 40 Ngurrara artists from the Great Sandy Desert, at the Art Gallery of NSW—its final exhibition before returning permanently to the artists' country.
Controversy and Leadership
Al Qasimi's appointment has sparked debate due to her public statements on the war in Gaza and support for Palestine. At the Aichi Triennale in September, she referenced "the devastation that is happening [in Gaza], the genocide and the ethnic cleansing," advocating for "free Palestine." This has led to criticism from figures like Peter Wertheim of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, who called her selection an example of "an extremist anti-western political agenda" influencing Australian cultural institutions. Reports in November 2025 indicated that several donors had withdrawn support from the Biennale in response.
In defence, a Biennale spokesperson emphasised Al Qasimi's professional expertise and artistic vision, noting that funding fluctuates with each edition and that the Australian government remains the largest and most consistent supporter. They stated, "Investing in public art is crucial... It enables a diversity of global voices and perspectives to be heard, including those that challenge us."
Additional Features and Schedule
The program includes works by Palestinian artists and collectives such as Basel Abbas and Ruanne Abou-Rahme, Khalil Rabah, and the architecture studio DAAR. Previously announced highlights feature a multi-channel video project by Behrouz Boochani, Hoda Afshar, and Vernon Ah Kee, focusing on Indigenous youth in detention. Al Qasimi, a high-profile curator who led the Sharjah Biennial and founded the Sharjah Art Foundation, brings extensive experience from venues like the Serpentine in London and the Venice Biennale.
The Sydney Biennale 2026 will run from 14 March to 14 June, with exhibitions at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Campbelltown Arts Centre, the Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney, Penrith Regional Gallery, White Bay Power Station, and various satellite venues across greater Sydney.
