The fourth Lahore Biennale, a significant event in the South Asian art world, is set to open in January 2027 with a focus on the interconnectedness of society and culture across borders. The biennale’s timing coincides with the 80th anniversary of the independence of Pakistan and the Partition of India, lending particular poignancy to its theme.
Nav Haq, currently the associate director of the Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp, has been appointed as the curator for this edition. Haq, who brings a British perspective informed by his Pakistani heritage, envisions the biennale as a platform to explore Lahore’s historical role as a cultural hub and its place within a broader global narrative. He spoke to The Art Newspaper about his desire to move beyond simply acknowledging local roots and instead examine “the story of the global history of culture and the place of Lahore in that.”
Haq’s appointment signals a continuation of the Lahore Biennale Foundation’s commitment to inclusivity, social engagement, and social transformation. Founded in 2014, the biennale has consistently sought to root itself within the local context while maintaining an outward-looking perspective. Previous editions have successfully showcased art in historic locations throughout Lahore, including Tollinton Market and the Lahore Fort.
The choice of Haq, whose artistic practice is “grounded in values of coexistence and progressive internationalism,” is particularly resonant given the complex geopolitical landscape of the region. The biennale’s location near the border between India and Pakistan, a region marked by ongoing conflict – including a confrontation in May of an unspecified year – underscores the importance of fostering cultural exchange. Haq frames the biennale as “a proposition that there should be a space for cultural internationalism rather than just political division.”
This ambition to bridge divides is reflected in Haq’s interest in artists who have actively worked to build connections between India and Pakistan. He specifically cited Shilpa Gupta, an Indian artist known for her collaborations with Pakistani artists like Rashid Rana, as a “prime example” of this cross-border artistic dialogue.
The Lahore Biennale’s director, Qudsia Rahim, emphasizes the event’s commitment to “activating historic spaces.” This involves utilizing and highlighting the artistic significance of Lahore’s unique heritage sites, many of which are still actively used by the local population. Rahim describes Lahore as a “palimpsest,” a term evoking layers of history and cultural meaning, and positions the biennale as “an embodied experience that quietly references [the city’s] storied history.”
Examples of this approach include showcasing installations within the Punjab Public Records building, housed in a 17th-century Mughal baridhari pavilion steeped in local legend. The biennale aims to present art not as a separate entity, but as an integral part of the city’s living history.
The upcoming edition builds on the successes of the third biennale, which featured multimedia works tackling both universal themes – such as climate change and gender equality – and the specific cross-border heritage of South Asia. Installations were strategically placed throughout the old city, including at the Lahore Fort, a site with a continuous 500-year history of governmental use.
The Lahore Biennale Foundation, a non-profit organization, views the event as a critical site for experimentation in the visual arts, encompassing all stages of artistic production, display, and reception. The foundation’s core objective, according to Rahim, is to activate these historic spaces and showcase the layered artistic significance of Pakistan’s cultural heritage.
As Haq prepares for the 2027 biennale, his vision centers on fostering dialogue and solidarity through art. The event promises to be a significant cultural moment, not only for Pakistan but for the broader South Asian region, offering a space for artistic expression and cross-cultural understanding in a historically and politically charged context. The focus on the vitality of culture across borders, particularly during this anniversary year, positions the Lahore Biennale as a powerful statement about the enduring importance of artistic exchange and international collaboration.
