Renowned British artist and Turner Prize winner Lubaina Himid has been selected to represent the UK at the 61st Venice Biennale in 2026, marking another milestone in her groundbreaking career.
Himid, known for her vibrant, thought-provoking work that explores race, history, and cultural identity, will take over the British Pavilion with a major solo exhibition of new work. The British Council, which commissions the UK’s representative for the prestigious event, made the announcement earlier today.
The Zanzibar-born artist, who has spent decades reshaping the conversation around Black British art, expressed both joy and disbelief at the honour. “I laughed out loud with both disbelief and pleasure when I found out about this wonderful invitation,” she said. “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.”
Himid has long been at the forefront of challenging Eurocentric narratives in art history. In the 1980s, she played a key role in the Black British Art Movement, curating landmark exhibitions such as Five Black Women (1983) and The Thin Black Line (1985), which spotlighted Black female artists often excluded from mainstream galleries. Her work has since evolved to push the boundaries of painting, incorporating elements of sound and sculptural installation.
Emma Dexter, Director of Visual Arts at the British Council and Commissioner of the British Pavilion, praised Himid’s innovative approach. “Himid’s work combines a radical optimism with social critique,” she said. “She will transform the Pavilion with her vibrant, articulate, and spatially dynamic artworks. Her exhibitions take the visitor on an exploratory journey, which is why it’s so exciting to imagine how she will use the Pavilion’s spaces.”
Since 1937, the British Pavilion has showcased some of the UK’s most influential artists, from Lucian Freud and Bridget Riley to Steve McQueen and Phyllida Barlow. Himid’s selection cements her place among these giants, ensuring that her legacy—and the urgent themes she addresses—reach an even wider international audience.
The 2026 Venice Biennale is set to open in April 2026, and if Himid’s past work is any indication, visitors can expect a bold, immersive, and deeply resonant exhibition.