Biennale Arte 2026: Myriam Ben Salah Curates French Pavilion
Yto Barrada Selects Myriam Ben Salah as curator for 2026 Venice Biennale French Pavilion
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Parisian artist yto Barrada, chosen to represent France at the Venice Biennale, has tapped Myriam Ben Salah to curate his exhibition at the 61st edition of the event. The French Institute, an arm of both the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and the French Ministry of Culture, announced the selection. The Biennale is scheduled to run from May 9 to Nov. 22, 2026.
Myriam Ben Salah: A Profile
Ben Salah, a Franco-Tunisian curator, has served as director and curator of the Renaissance Society of Chicago since 2020. During her tenure, she has organized solo exhibitions featuring artists such as Alex Ayed, Neïl Beloufa, Meriem Bennani, Aria Dean, Dala Nasser, Diane Severin Nguyen, Lydia Ourahmane, Jordan Strafer, and Wakaliga Uganda.
Her experience also includes involvement in the “Made in L.A.” Biennale at the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles in 2020. Previously, Ben Salah was editor-in-chief of “Kaleidoscope” magazine (2016-2020) and head of special projects and cultural programming at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris (2009-2016). In 2018, she served as a guest curator for the tenth edition of the Abraaj Group Art Prize in dubai, collaborating with artist Lawrence Abu Hamdan. She also sits on the scientific committee of the Modam-Musée Moderne Grand-Duc Jean in Luxembourg and the production and acquisition committee of the Hartwig art Production-Collection Fund.
Barrada’s Endorsement
Barrada expressed enthusiasm for Ben Salah’s involvement. “I am happy that Myriam Ben Salah accepted to treat the French pavilion at the Venice Biennale 2026, as it is indeed a singular voice that has inspired me for many years,” Barrada said. He further noted her consistent support for artists across generations, citing her work at the Palais de Tokyo, “Kaleidoscope” magazine, the ”Made in L.A.” Biennale, and the Renaissance Society of Chicago. Barrada emphasized that artists trust her and institutions rely on her to organize committed and demanding exhibitions, adding, “Her curator work, her texts and public declarations testify to a way of thinking deeply focused on artists and rooted in rigor and integrity.”
Ben Salah’s Perspective
Ben Salah reciprocated Barrada’s sentiments. “It is a privilege to work with Yto,” she stated. “His poetic and incisive vision challenges everything that we too often take for granted in terms of geography, artistic canons and past perspectives.” She lauded his “inexhaustible source of microstories” and his “intellectual generosity,” pointing to initiatives such as the Cinématèque de Tanger and a garden of dyes. Ben Salah concluded, “I am convinced that this pavilion will transform our approach to culture. Our paths are extraordinarily similar: we both come from families shaped by political history, trade union struggles and exile, between North Africa, France and, afterward, the United states. It is indeed this common point of view that feeds the convergence of our visions today.”
Yto Barrada Selects Myriam Ben Salah for 2026 Venice Biennale French Pavilion: A Q&A
Who is Yto Barrada and Why is This News?
Who is Yto Barrada?
Yto Barrada is a Parisian artist who has been chosen to represent France at the 61st Venice Biennale.
What is the Venice Biennale, and why is it important?
The Venice Biennale is a prestigious international art exhibition. Being selected to represent a country is a meaningful honor, highlighting the artist’s contributions to the art world.
who is Organizing Yto Barrada’s exhibition at the Venice Biennale?
What role will Myriam Ben Salah play in the 2026 Venice Biennale?
Myriam Ben Salah has been selected by Yto Barrada to curate his french Pavilion exhibition at the 2026 Venice Biennale.
About Myriam Ben Salah
Who is Myriam Ben Salah?
myriam Ben Salah is a Franco-Tunisian curator with a distinguished career in the art world. She’s currently the director and curator of the Renaissance Society of Chicago.
What are some of Myriam Ben Salah’s notable achievements?
Director and Curator of the Renaissance Society of chicago as 2020.
Former Editor-in-Chief of ”Kaleidoscope” magazine (2016-2020).
Former Head of Special Projects and Cultural Programming at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris (2009-2016).
guest curator for the Abraaj Group Art Prize in Dubai in 2018.
serves on the scientific commitee of the Modam-Musée Moderne Grand-Duc Jean in Luxembourg and the production and acquisition committee of the Hartwig art Production-Collection Fund.
What artists has Myriam Ben Salah featured in solo exhibitions at the Renaissance Society of Chicago?
Ben Salah has organized solo exhibitions featuring artists such as:
Alex Ayed
Neïl Beloufa
Meriem Bennani
Aria Dean
Dala Nasser
Diane Severin Nguyen
Lydia Ourahmane
Jordan Strafer
Wakaliga Uganda
The Significance of the collaboration
Why is the partnership between Yto Barrada and Myriam Ben Salah considered exciting?
The collaboration between barrada and ben Salah is noteworthy because both artists share a similar perspective and life experiences which will feed the convergence of their visions.
What does Yto Barrada say about Myriam Ben Salah?
Yto Barrada praised Ben Salah’s “singular voice” and her consistent support for artists. He emphasized that artists trust her and institutions rely on her expertise. He added that “Her curator work, her texts and public declarations testify to a way of thinking deeply focused on artists and rooted in rigor and integrity.”
How does Myriam Ben Salah view this collaboration?
myriam Ben Salah describes working with yto Barrada as a privilege, appreciating his challenging and poetic vision. She highlights initiatives such as the Cinématèque de Tanger and a garden of dyes which show his “intellectual generosity.”
Key Dates and Facts
When is the Venice Biennale 2026 scheduled to take place?
The Venice Biennale is scheduled to run from May 9 to november 22, 2026.
What is the French Institute?
The french Institute is an arm of both the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and the French Ministry of Culture.
Summary of Key Facts
Here’s a quick summary of key facts about the upcoming Venice Biennale:
| Aspect | Details |
| ———————- | ——————————————————————– |
| Artist Representing France | Yto Barrada |
| Curator | Myriam Ben Salah |
| Biennale Dates | May 9 to november 22, 2026 |
| Venue | French Pavilion, Venice Biennale |
| Key figures | Yto Barrada, Myriam Ben Salah |
| Ben Salah’s Role | Curator of Barrada’s exhibition |
| Ben Salah’s Experience | director/Curator of Renaissance Society; Editor/Head of Projects; Curator of Abraaj Group Art Prize |
| Organizing Body | the French Institute (Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Culture) |