Lubaina Himid has been chosen by the British Council to represent the UK at the 61st International Art Exhibition in 2026.
Taking place in Venice, the La Biennale di Venezia is known as ‘the Olympics of art’ within creative spheres, and sees artists from all across the world exhibit their best work.
Known for her pioneering exhibitions examining and celebrating Black culture, Himid’s most widely recognised works include the 2004 instillation Naming the Money, as well as her work at the First National Black Art Convention, which was held at Wolverhampton Polytechnic (now the University of Wolverhampton) in 1982.
Himid, who was born in Tanzania, is known for her satirical takes in her art, and takes aim at the legacy of political decisions and how they still impact people today. She won the Turner Prize for her work in 2017, and was made a CBE the following year for her contribution to the arts. Himid was honoured by Harper's Bazaar as one of our Women of the Year in 2021, is a Bazaar contributing editor and has guest edited Bazaar Art; she is also now Emeritus Professor of Contemporary Art at the University of Central Lancashire.
The 70-year-old artist is the second Black woman to represent the UK at the International Art Exhibition. Sonia Boyce was the first in 2022, exhibiting her multimedia installation Feeling Her Way - a celebration of the Black female musicians who had inspired her.
Previous artists who have represented the UK include Lucien Freud, Steve McQueen and Phyllida Barlow.
Speaking about Himid’s appointment, Emma Dexter, Director Visual Arts and the British Council Collection and Commissioner of the British Pavilion said: “Himid pushes the boundaries of painting practice through sound and sculptural installation, incorporating new materials, textures, narratives and formats in her work.
“Combining a radical optimism with social critique, she will transform the Pavilion with her vibrant, articulate and spatially dynamic artworks. Himid’s exhibitions take the visitor on an exploratory journey, which is why it’s so exciting to imagine how she will use the enfilade of six spaces in the British Pavilion.
“We are truly delighted to be working with Lubaina Himid on the British Council commission for 2026.”
In response to the news, Himid said: “I laughed out loud with both disbelief and pleasure when I found out about this wonderful invitation to represent Britain at the Venice Biennale in 2026.
“It is such a great honour and at the same time a brilliant and exciting opportunity to make something particularly special, which resonates with multiple audiences, communicates with complex histories and looks to a more collaborative future.”
This year, the exhibitions will start from 10 May. A team of architectural practitioners have been represented the UK for 2025, including Owen Hopkins, Dr Kathryn Yusoff, Kabage Karanja and Stella Mutegi.
