Abu dhabi: The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi has announced the appointment of Elvira Dyangani Ose as the Artistic Director for the second edition of the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial, slated to open in the autumn of 2026 and continue into 2027.
According to Emirates News Agency, Dyangani Ose’s leadership is expected to expand upon the accomplishments of the inaugural biennial, which debuted in 2024 and was celebrated for transforming the emirate into a hub of public art and cultural engagement. The 2024 edition, held across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, ran from November 15, 2024, to April 30, 2025, and featured installations by both local and international artists. Notable works by Kader Attia, Superflex, Nathan Coley, Wael Al Awar, Farah Al Qassimi, and Shaikha Al Ketbi were acquired as permanent fixtures in the region’s public art landscape.
Elvira Dyangani Ose currently directs the Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA) and brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles, including Director and Chief Curator at The Showroom in London, and various curatorial positions at Tate Modern and Creative Time. Her career is characterized by a multidisciplinary approach that emphasizes the participatory nature of history, public space representation, and the inclusion of non-Western narratives.
In recent years, Dyangani Ose has led several significant projects, such as “Project a Black Planet – The Art and Culture of Panafrica” (2024 – 2027), and exhibitions like “Coco Fusco. I Learned to Swim On Dry Land” (2025) and “Goshka Macuga’s Miu Miu Tales and Tellers” (2024 – 2025). Her academic achievements include a degree in Art History from Universitat Aut²noma de Barcelona, advanced studies in architecture from Universitat Polit¨cnica de Catalunya, and ongoing doctoral research at Cornell University.
Dyangani Ose’s appointment signals a continued commitment to fostering a dynamic and inclusive art scene in Abu Dhabi, with the upcoming biennial anticipated to further establish the city as a focal point of global public art initiatives.