Pavilion of India at the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia 2026
The Pavilion of India opens Geographies of Distance: remembering home, an exhibition exploring memory and belonging in a rapidly transforming world
Presented by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in partnership with the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) and Serendipity Arts
The group show features new large-scale sculpture and installations by Alwar Balasubramaniam (Bala), Ranjani Shettar, Sumakshi Singh, Skarma Sonam Tashi, and Asim Waqif, curated by Dr. Amin Jaffer
The exhibition marks India’s return to the Biennale Arte since 2019
Venice (Isolotto, Arsenale), 9 May – 22 November 2026 | Previews: 6, 7, 8 May 2026
By PIB Delhi
The Pavilion of India was opened to the public today at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia in the presence of Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism; Mr. Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, President of La Biennale di Venezia; Shri Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Culture; H.E. Vani Rao, Ambassador of India to Italy.
Smt. Nita M. Ambani; Smt. Isha Ambani; and Shri Sunil Kant Munjal were also present on the occasion.
The opening featured remarks by Dr. Amin Jaffer, H.E. Vani Rao, Shri Vivek Aggarwal, and Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, said:
“Geographies of Distance: remembering home presents a contemporary India that is both rooted and forward looking. As our nation continues to evolve, this Pavilion reflects the strength of our cultural memory and the power of artistic expression to connect India with the world.”
Shri Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, said:
“This exhibition brings together artists whose practices engage deeply with questions of memory, material and transformation. Their work reflects the realities of a rising India while contributing to a broader global dialogue on belonging and identity.”
Dr. Amin Jaffer, Curator, said:
“In response to In Minor Keys, this exhibition explores home as an emotional and material condition rather than a fixed place. Through fragile, organic materials and deeply personal narratives, the artists reflect on how memory, migration, and change shape our understanding of belonging.”
The Pavilion of India presents Geographies of Distance: remembering home, curated by Dr. Amin Jaffer and presented by the Ministry of Culture in partnership with NMACC and Serendipity Arts. Featuring works by Alwar Balasubramaniam (Bala), Ranjani Shettar, Sumakshi Singh, Skarma Sonam Tashi and Asim Waqif, the exhibition explores ideas of memory, migration, materiality and belonging through contemporary artistic practices rooted in Indian cultural traditions.
Exhibition Highlights
Not Just for Us – Alwar Balasubramaniam (Bala)
Sculptural panels made from clay and soil from rural Tamil Nadu explore memory, environmental change, and the passage of time.
Under the same sky – Ranjani Shettar
Suspended sculptural forms inspired by flowers and natural growth create an immersive environment reflecting nature, craft, and emotional belonging.
Permanent Address – Sumakshi Singh
A life-sized reconstruction of the artist’s demolished family home in New Delhi, created using embroidered thread, reflects on memory, domestic space, and absence.
Echoes of Home – Skarma Sonam Tashi
Using papier-mâché and references to Ladakhi architecture, the installation examines ecology, sustainability, and cultural continuity.
Chaal – Asim Waqif
A large-scale bamboo installation inspired by urban scaffolding reflects ideas of transition, renewal, and change in contemporary Indian cities.
Performance Programme
A performance programme curated by Serendipity Arts will accompany the exhibition across Venice from May to November 2026, featuring interdisciplinary presentations inspired by Indian cultural traditions and the Biennale theme In Minor Keys.
Credits
Geographies of Distance: remembering home
Commissioner: Ministry of Culture
Curator: Dr. Amin Jaffer
Organising Partners: Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre and Serendipity Arts
Exhibitors: Alwar Balasubramaniam (Bala), Sumakshi Singh, Ranjani Shettar, Asim Waqif and Skarma Sonam Tashi
Venue: Arsenale
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For Images: National Pavilion of India Press Pack
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