The Venice Biennale jury has announced a significant decision: they will not bestow awards upon artists hailing from countries whose leaders are currently facing charges related to war crimes. This statement, seemingly directed at both Russia and Israel, underscores the jury’s dedication to upholding human rights.
In a clear commitment to the “defence of human rights,” the five-member jury of the esteemed art exhibition has declared its intention to exclude artists from nations whose leaders have been indicted for crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC). This stance aligns with the vision championed by Koyo Kouoh, the late Swiss-Cameroonian curator who had been appointed to lead the 2026 edition of the biennale.