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Thread Reconstructs Delhi Home at Venice Biennale
8 May
Summary
- India's pavilion at Venice Biennale features embroidered thread home reconstruction.
- Exhibition explores themes of memory, domestic space, and belonging.
- India returns to Biennale Arte after a five-year hiatus since 2019.
India has returned to the Venice Biennale Arte, one of the components of La Biennale di Venezia, for the first time since 2019. The nation's pavilion, titled 'Geographies of Distance: Remembering Home,' opened to the public on May 7, 2026, coinciding with the previews for the 61st International Art Exhibition. The exhibition delves into themes of memory and belonging within a rapidly evolving global landscape.
Among the featured works is Sumakshi Singh's 'Permanent Address,' a striking reconstruction of her demolished family home in New Delhi, meticulously crafted from embroidered thread to evoke memory and absence. Other installations include sculptural panels by Alwar Balasubramaniam reflecting on environmental change and Ranjani Shettar's immersive forms inspired by nature, addressing craft and emotional connection.
Skarmar Sonam Tashi's 'Echoes of Home' uses papier-mâché and Ladakhi architectural references to examine sustainability and cultural continuity, while Asim Waqif's large-scale bamboo installation 'Chaal' draws inspiration from urban scaffolding, symbolizing transition and change in Indian cities. These diverse works collectively present a contemporary India that is both deeply rooted and forward-looking.
The biennale, running from May 9 to November 22, 2026, highlights artists whose practices engage with memory, material, and transformation. Curated by Amin Jaffer and presented in partnership with the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre and Serendipity Arts, the pavilion aims to showcase the strength of India's cultural memory and artistic expression on a global stage.
