**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Culture, in partnership with the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) and Serendipity Arts, has inaugurated the Pavilion of India at the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia 2026. Titled *Geographies of Distance: remembering home*, the exhibition marks India's return to the Biennale Arte since 2019. The pavilion is open to the public at the Arsenale, Venice, from 9 May to 22 November 2026, featuring five contemporary artists and an accompanying performance programme.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Exhibition Theme and Curation**
* Curated by Dr. Amin Jaffer, the exhibition explores concepts of memory, migration, materiality, and belonging in a transforming world.
* The works respond to the Biennale theme *In Minor Keys*, focusing on "home" as an emotional and material condition rather than a fixed location.
* The exhibition utilizes fragile, organic materials and deeply personal narratives to connect Indian cultural traditions with global dialogues.
**Artist Installations and Highlights**
* **Alwar Balasubramaniam (Bala):** *Not Just for Us* features sculptural panels created from rural Tamil Nadu clay and soil to explore environmental change and the passage of time.
* **Ranjani Shettar:** *Under the same sky* consists of suspended sculptural forms inspired by floral growth and natural environments.
* **Sumakshi Singh:** *Permanent Address* is a life-sized reconstruction of a demolished family home in New Delhi crafted from embroidered thread.
* **Skarma Sonam Tashi:** *Echoes of Home* utilizes papier-mâché and Ladakhi architectural influences to examine sustainability and cultural continuity.
* **Asim Waqif:** *Chaal* is a large-scale bamboo installation inspired by urban scaffolding, reflecting transition and renewal in Indian cities.
**Organizational Framework and Programming**
* The pavilion is presented by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, with NMACC and Serendipity Arts as organizing partners.
* A performance programme curated by Serendipity Arts will run from May to November 2026, featuring interdisciplinary presentations inspired by Indian traditions.
* Official oversight is provided by the Commissioner (Ministry of Culture) and the President of La Biennale di Venezia.
**Impact Analysis**
**Participating Artists**
**Impact**
They serve as cultural representatives for India on a prestigious global platform, showcasing contemporary practices rooted in traditional materials (clay, bamboo, thread, papier-mâché).
**Action Required**
Present and maintain large-scale installations and sculptures that engage with themes of memory and transformation throughout the exhibition period.
**Ministry of Culture and Organizing Partners (NMACC, Serendipity Arts)**
**Impact**
These entities facilitate India’s return to the international art stage after a seven-year hiatus, strengthening cultural diplomacy and connecting Indian art with a global audience.
**Action Required**
Commission the pavilion, oversee the exhibition at the Arsenale venue, and manage the ongoing performance programme through November 2026.
**Global Public and Art Community**
**Impact**
Visitors gain access to contemporary Indian artistic perspectives on universal themes such as migration, ecology, and urban change.
**Action Required**
Attend the public exhibition between 9 May and 22 November 2026 at the Arsenale (Isolotto) in Venice.
Key Entities Referenced
61st International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia: The prestigious global art forum hosting the Pavilion of India, marking the country's return to the event since 2019.
Ministry of Culture: The primary government body responsible for commissioning, presenting, and organizing India’s participation in the international exhibition.
Geographies of Distance: remembering home: The specific exhibition theme and program presented at the Pavilion of India, featuring large-scale sculptures and installations.
Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC): A key private-sector partner collaborating with the government to present and support the Indian national pavilion.
Venice, Italy (Isolotto, Arsenale): The central international location hosting the exhibition, essential to the scope and global impact of the initiative.
Ministry of Culture
Pavilion of India at the 61st International Art
Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia 2026
The Pavilion of India opens Geographies of Distance:
remembering home, an exhibition exploring memory and
belonging in a rapidly transforming world
Presented by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in
partnership with the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre
(NMACC) and Serendipity Arts
The group show features new large-scale sculpture and
installations by Alwar Balasubramaniam (Bala), Ranjani
Shettar, Sumakshi Singh, Skarma Sonam Tashi, and Asim
Waqif, curated by Dr. Amin Jaffer
The exhibition marks India’s return to the Biennale Arte since
2019
Venice (Isolotto, Arsenale), 9 May - 22 November 2026 |
Previews: 6, 7, 8 May 2026
Posted On: 07 MAY 2026 5:18PM by PIB Delhi
The Pavilion of India was opened to the public today at the 61st International Art Exhibition of
La Biennale di Venezia in the presence of Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister
of Culture and Tourism; Mr. Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, President of La Biennale di Venezia; Shri
Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Culture; H.E. Vani Rao, Ambassador of India to Italy.
Smt. Nita M. Ambani; Smt. Isha Ambani; and Shri Sunil Kant Munjal were also present on the
occasion.The opening featured remarks by Dr. Amin Jaffer, H.E. Vani Rao, Shri Vivek Aggarwal, and Shri
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, said:
“Geographies of Distance: remembering home presents a contemporary India that is both
rooted and forward looking. As our nation continues to evolve, this Pavilion reflects the strength
of our cultural memory and the power of artistic expression to connect India with the world.”
Shri Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, said:
“This exhibition brings together artists whose practices engage deeply with questions of
memory, material and transformation. Their work reflects the realities of a rising India while
contributing to a broader global dialogue on belonging and identity.”
Dr. Amin Jaffer, Curator, said:
“In response to In Minor Keys, this exhibition explores home as an emotional and material
condition rather than a fixed place. Through fragile, organic materials and deeply personal
narratives, the artists reflect on how memory, migration, and change shape our understanding of
belonging.”The Pavilion of India presents Geographies of Distance: remembering home, curated by Dr.
Amin Jaffer and presented by the Ministry of Culture in partnership with NMACC and
Serendipity Arts. Featuring works by Alwar Balasubramaniam (Bala), Ranjani Shettar,
Sumakshi Singh, Skarma Sonam Tashi and Asim Waqif, the exhibition explores ideas of
memory, migration, materiality and belonging through contemporary artistic practices rooted in
Indian cultural traditions.
Exhibition Highlights
Not Just for Us - Alwar Balasubramaniam (Bala)
Sculptural panels made from clay and soil from rural Tamil Nadu explore memory,
environmental change, and the passage of time.
Under the same sky - Ranjani Shettar
Suspended sculptural forms inspired by flowers and natural growth create an immersive
environment reflecting nature, craft, and emotional belonging.
Permanent Address - Sumakshi Singh
A life-sized reconstruction of the artist’s demolished family home in New Delhi, created using
embroidered thread, reflects on memory, domestic space, and absence.
Echoes of Home - Skarma Sonam Tashi
Using papier-mâché and references to Ladakhi architecture, the installation examines ecology,
sustainability, and cultural continuity.
Chaal - Asim Waqif
A large-scale bamboo installation inspired by urban scaffolding reflects ideas of transition,
renewal, and change in contemporary Indian cities.Performance Programme
A performance programme curated by Serendipity Arts will accompany the exhibition across
Venice from May to November 2026, featuring interdisciplinary presentations inspired by Indian
cultural traditions and the Biennale theme In Minor Keys.
Credits
Geographies of Distance: remembering home
Commissioner: Ministry of Culture
Curator: Dr. Amin Jaffer
Organising Partners: Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre and Serendipity Arts
Exhibitors: Alwar Balasubramaniam (Bala), Sumakshi Singh, Ranjani Shettar, Asim Waqif and
Skarma Sonam Tashi
Venue: ArsenaleFor Press Inquiries: indiainvenice@brunswickgroup.com
For Images: National Pavilion of India Press Pack
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M. Annadurai
(Release ID: 2258764) Visitor Counter : 439
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