THIRDSPACE Art Foundation Challenges Colonial Narratives with 1922 Revisited at Venice Biennale

Event summary

  • THIRDSPACE Art Foundation presents '1922 Revisited' at the 2026 Venice Biennale preview (May 5–9, 2026).
  • The program interrogates the 1922 Biennale exhibition that framed African art within colonial narratives.
  • Curated by Dr. Janine A. Sytsma, it features performance artists from Africa and its diasporas.
  • A companion scholarly publication, 'Harmonies of Repair,' is planned for Spring 2027.

The big picture

THIRDSPACE Art Foundation’s '1922 Revisited' intervenes in the ongoing debate over how African art is contextualized within global exhibition platforms. By revisiting a pivotal moment in the Biennale’s history, the foundation challenges persistent colonial frameworks, aligning with broader industry efforts to decolonize art institutions. The initiative underscores the growing influence of performance art in reshaping historical narratives.

What we're watching

Cultural Reinterpretation
How THIRDSPACE’s deconstruction of colonial narratives will influence future art exhibitions.
Artist Engagement
Whether the program’s critical approach will attract or alienate institutional partners.
Scholarly Impact
The pace at which the companion publication will shape academic discourse on African art.