Sharjah Art Foundation Reveals First Details for Sharjah Biennial 2027
The upcoming exhibition, titled "What remains, sits restive," will explore the lingering legacies of modernity and the intersection of space and memory through the work of 109 artists.
- Publish date: Tuesday، 28 April 2026 Reading time: two min read
The Sharjah Art Foundation has unveiled the initial details for Sharjah Biennial 17, scheduled to take place from January 21 to June 13, 2027. Titled "What remains, sits restive," the exhibition will delve into the complex relationship between the present and the "unlived pasts" of modernity.
The curatorial theme examines how defeated or unfinished projects of emancipation continue to influence contemporary politics, time, and space, suggesting that history is not merely a repetition but an active, morphing force that shapes current realities.
The biennial will be co-curated by Angela Harutyunyan and Paula Nascimento, who have developed distinct yet complementary approaches to the overarching theme. Harutyunyan's section focuses on the afterlives of socialist modernity, viewed through the lens of anti-colonial struggles and the peripheries of modernization. Her curated segment features 55 participants who investigate whether art can challenge the alienation of late capitalism by reactivating the remnants of these emancipatory visions. Her list of contributors includes prominent figures such as Anri Sala, Kapwani Kiwanga, and Iman Issa, among many others exploring representation in a contradictory world.
Complementing this perspective, Paula Nascimento's contribution addresses the "slow violences" of cultural silencing and oppression. Her section utilizes infrastructure as a methodological tool to examine how space, place, and memory intersect in both tangible and intangible forms. Featuring 54 participants, this strand proposes new vocabularies to help navigate the complexities of the current era.
Notable artists in this group include Ibrahim Mahama, Grada Kilomba, and Oscar Murillo, who will present works that challenge viewers to reconsider their understanding of history and environment.
With a total of 109 participants, the biennial will span multiple venues across the Emirate of Sharjah, transforming the city into a dynamic hub for artistic discourse. The opening week is set for January 21–24, 2027, marking the beginning of a five-month exploration into the residues of history that continue to animate the present. Registration for the event is currently open via the Sharjah Art Foundation, inviting the public to engage with a diverse array of voices that seek to redefine the narrative of modernity.