On September 29, Bana Kattan, curator and associate head of exhibitions at the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, was appointed to curate the UAE Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale. 

Born in Abu Dhabi, Kattan has actively contributed to the contemporary art discourse in the UAE through her curatorial practice, which addresses sociopolitical and historical issues while fostering dialogue among artists from various generations, disciplines, and media. Previously, she was the curator at the NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery and served as associate curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago before joining the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. Notable curatorial projects undertaken by Kattan include solo exhibitions of works by Iraqi American artist Wafaa Bilal, Tehran-born multimedia artist Maryam Taghavi, and British Palestinian artist Mona Hatoum, all held at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.  

In a press release, Kattan stated: “Having worked extensively in the region and alongside a wide range of multigenerational and transdisciplinary artists from the Arab world, I look forward to contributing . . . to a project that reflects the UAE’s vibrant artistic landscape.”

Commissioned by the Abu Dhabi-based Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation and supported by the UAE Ministry of Culture, the UAE Pavilion will present its exhibition for the 61st Venice Biennale from May 9 to November 22, 2026 at the Arsenale.

Joan Yiquan Chen is an editorial intern at ArtAsiaPacific.