Kochi Biennale Names First Non-Indian Curator, Emphasising Inspiration Over Means In Art
Kochi Biennale appoints first non-Indian curator for edition.
The Kochi-Muziris Biennale has announced French-Algerian artist Kader Attia as the curator of its seventh edition (2027–28), marking the first time a non-Indian has been appointed to lead India’s premier contemporary art exhibition. The announcement was made on the sidelines of the Venice Biennale pre-opening events by artist Jitish Kallat, representing the Kochi Biennale Foundation. The decision signals a significant moment in the evolution of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, which has grown into one of Asia’s most prominent platforms for contemporary art since its inception.
Attia, who is currently exhibiting at the Venice Biennale for the second time, is widely recognized for his multidisciplinary practice examining colonial histories, cultural repair, and the lingering impact of Western modernism on non-Western societies. His appointment reflects the Biennale’s increasing global orientation while retaining its focus on postcolonial discourse.
The artist previously curated the Berlin Biennale in 2022 and won France’s prestigious Marcel Duchamp Prize in 2016. His works are held in major international collections, including the Centre Pompidou in Paris, Tate Modern in London, and the Museum of Modern Art and the Guggenheim in New York, underscoring his global standing in contemporary art.
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Among his most notable installations is Ghost, a large-scale work featuring hundreds of kneeling, foil-wrapped figures that explore themes of collective silence, trauma, and socio-political erasure. Born to Algerian parents and raised between France and Algeria, Attia’s practice frequently interrogates how colonial histories continue to shape cultural identity and modern aesthetics.
The Kochi-Muziris Biennale Foundation’s decision comes as the sixth edition of the event recently concluded, running from December 2025 to March 2026. With Attia at the helm for 2027–28, expectations are high for a curatorial vision that deepens the Biennale’s engagement with global postcolonial narratives while expanding its artistic reach.
Speaking on his appointment, Attia emphasized a philosophy that prioritizes conceptual depth over material scale, stating that inspiration, rather than means, is what drives artistic creation. His selection is widely seen as a continuation of the Biennale’s commitment to challenging artistic hierarchies and fostering cross-cultural dialogue on a global stage.
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