The Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) has announced internationally acclaimed French-Algerian artist and curator Kader Attia as the curator of the Seventh Edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB), scheduled to open in December 2027. The announcement was made by artist Jitish Kallat, President of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, during a special event held in Venice on May 8, 2026.
Recognized globally for his profound explorations of history, memory, repair, and the enduring impact of colonialism, Attia brings a distinctive interdisciplinary approach to contemporary art. Working across installation, sculpture, film, and archival research, his practice bridges artistic expression with anthropological and philosophical inquiry, making him one of the most influential voices in contemporary art today.
Attia was selected by a distinguished committee chaired by Jitish Kallat and comprising renowned figures from the art world, including Shilpa Gupta, Amrita Jhaveri, Pooja Sood, Tasneem Zakaria Mehta, Mariam Ram, and Rirkrit Tiravanija. His appointment signals a significant new chapter for India’s largest contemporary art biennale.
As curator, Attia will embark on an extensive process of research, dialogue, and engagement to develop the conceptual framework for the 2027–2028 edition. Kochi, with its layered histories and cultural intersections, will serve as a crucial point of departure for this curatorial journey.
Welcoming the appointment, Jitish Kallat noted that Attia’s proposal stood out for its poetic depth, intellectual openness, and capacity to foster meaningful connections between diverse artistic practices, histories, and audiences. Kallat also recalled Attia’s participation in the 2014 edition of the Biennale and expressed enthusiasm about witnessing his curatorial vision unfold within Kochi’s unique cultural landscape.
Speaking about his appointment, Attia reflected on his longstanding connection with Kochi. He described the city as a culturally multilayered space shaped by intertwined influences and expressed his excitement at returning to build new dialogues through the Biennale. For Attia, art and dreams share a transformative power, offering possibilities for repair, reflection, and renewed imagination.
Dr. Venu V, Chairperson of the Kochi Biennale Foundation, emphasized the significance of the transition. Reflecting on the success of the Sixth Edition, he highlighted the Biennale’s continuing role as a platform for dialogue, inclusivity, and creative experimentation. He expressed confidence that Attia’s leadership would inspire new artistic conversations while remaining deeply connected to Kochi’s distinctive cultural fabric.
Since its inception in 2012, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale has become one of the most important contemporary art events in Asia, attracting artists, curators, scholars, and visitors from around the world. Organized by the Kochi Biennale Foundation, a non-profit institution established in 2010, the Biennale has consistently expanded the possibilities of artistic engagement in India and beyond.
Following the conclusion of the Sixth Edition, curated by Nikhil Chopra in collaboration with HH Art Spaces, the appointment of Kader Attia marks the beginning of a new artistic journey. As preparations commence for the Seventh Edition, the global art community will be watching closely to see how Attia’s thoughtful and critically engaged vision shapes the future of this celebrated “People’s Biennale.”
With its commitment to fostering dialogue across cultures and histories, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale continues to reaffirm its place as a vital platform for contemporary artistic practice, and Kader Attia’s appointment promises an edition rich in reflection, connection, and creative exploration.
