The jury of the Venice Biennale has declared its intention not to present awards to artists hailing from nations whose leaders are currently facing charges of crimes against humanity. This decision, seemingly directed towards Russia and Israel, underscores the jury’s dedication to upholding human rights.
The five-member jury of the renowned art exhibition articulated their commitment to “the defense of human rights.” This stance aligns with the vision set forth by Koyo Kouoh, the Swiss-Cameroonian curator who was appointed to lead the 2026 edition of the biennale before her passing last year. Consequently, the jury will exclude from consideration artists from countries whose leaders are implicated in crimes against humanity as determined by the international criminal court.