The jury tasked with awarding prizes at the Venice Biennale, one of the world's most significant contemporary art exhibitions, has collectively resigned. The unexpected development comes just days before the event's official opening, casting a shadow over the start of the prestigious cultural gathering in Venice.
The resignations are understood to be linked to growing tensions and ethical concerns surrounding Russia's participation in the Biennale. This year marks Russia's return to the exhibition for the first time since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, a move that has been met with considerable criticism and debate within the international art community.
The Biennale, which runs for several months, features national pavilions and a central international exhibition, attracting artists, curators, and art enthusiasts from across the globe. The jury's role is to assess the various contributions and award the coveted Golden Lion prizes for the best national participation and best artist in the main exhibition.
While the exact motivations for each jury member's resignation have not been individually detailed, the collective nature of the decision, coupled with the timing, strongly suggests a unified stance against the backdrop of the political controversy. The Biennale organisers have yet to issue a full statement regarding the resignations or how they plan to proceed with the judging process.