Kolkata will host the 2026 edition of the Bengal Biennale from 12 March to 9 April, featuring a roster of contemporary artists from India and abroad. The biennial, organized by the West Bengal Council of Cultural Affairs, has announced its official theme – “Intersections of Memory” – which invites participants to explore how personal and collective histories overlap in the urban landscape.
Six venues across the city will showcase the works, beginning with the historic Academy of Fine Arts, followed by the contemporary spaces of the Indian Museum’s Art Gallery, Nicco Park’s open‑air pavilion, the Salt Lake City Centre, the Salt House in New Town and the newly commissioned Riverfront Gallery at Howrah Bridge. Each site has been selected to reflect a different facet of the theme, from archival installations to immersive digital experiences.
Among the 45 confirmed artists are Subodh Gupta, Bharti Kher, Raqib Shaw, Sheela Gowda, and emerging voices such as Ananya Chatterjee and Arjun Mehta. International contributors include Japan’s Ryoji Ikeda, Nigeria’s Njideka Akunyili‑Crosby and Brazil’s Ernesto Neto, ensuring a diverse dialogue that resonates with the biennial’s cross‑cultural ambition.
In addition to visual art, the program incorporates performances, film screenings and panel discussions. Notable events include a midnight sound‑scape by Ikeda at the Riverfront Gallery and a collaborative mural project led by local schoolchildren at the Salt House. Tickets go on sale from 1 February, with early‑bird discounts for students and senior citizens.
The Bengal Biennale 2026 aims to position Kolkata as a hub for contemporary discourse, inviting residents and visitors alike to engage with art that challenges memory, identity and the evolving cityscape.
Image for illustration purposes only
📰 Source: The Hindu Entertainment