Abu dhabi: The National Pavilion UAE has announced the appointment of Bana Kattan as the curator for the UAE’s participation in the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia in 2026. Kattan, currently serving as Curator and Associate Head of Exhibitions at the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, was chosen by a committee of key figures from the UAE’s creative sector, including representatives from government, museums, and universities. The Pavilion’s exhibition at Biennale Arte 2026 will also feature a dedicated publication.
According to Emirates News Agency, Kattan’s previous roles include Associate Curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, where she curated exhibitions with multigenerational artists such as Wafaa Bilal, Maryam Taghavi, and Mona Hatoum. Her work at the NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery involved curating research-driven exhibition programs, including “Permanent Temporariness” by Sandi Hilal and Alessandro Petti, and “But We Cannot See Them,” which highlighted the UAE’s art community from 1988 to 2008.
Kattan, born and raised in Abu Dhabi, has a strong connection to the UAE’s cultural landscape. Her curatorial work focuses on socio-political and historical themes, fostering dialogue among artists across generations and disciplines. Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, UAE Minister of Culture, expressed confidence in Kattan’s ability to amplify the UAE’s cultural and creative voices on the global stage.
Bana Kattan expressed her honor at the appointment, highlighting her extensive work in the region and collaboration with artists from the Arab world. She aims to contribute her experience to a project that reflects the UAE’s artistic vibrancy while engaging with broader historical and complex narratives.
Angela Migally, Executive Director of the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, emphasized the Foundation’s commitment to nurturing cultural ecosystems and practitioners in the UAE. Laila Binbrek, Director of the National Pavilion UAE, noted Kattan’s deep ties to the UAE’s art scene and her ability to highlight underexplored narratives through diverse artistic perspectives.
The UAE’s exhibition for the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, titled “In Minor Keys” by Koyo Kouoh, will run from May 9 to November 22, 2026, with pre-opening events on May 6, 7, and 8. This marks the UAE’s ninth participation in the International Art Exhibition and fifteenth at the Art and Architecture International Exhibitions organized by La Biennale di Venezia. The current exhibition at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition is “Pressure Cooker,” curated by Azza Aboualam, focusing on sustainable food production in the UAE.
The National Pavilion UAE, commissioned by the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation and supported by the UAE Ministry of Culture, maintains a permanent pavilion at the Arsenale – Sale d’Armi.