The Pavilion of India at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia was opened to the public on Thursday in the presence of Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, President of La Biennale di Venezia Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, Culture Secretary Vivek Aggarwal and India’s Ambassador to Italy Vani Rao.
Prominent personalities including Nita M. Ambani, Isha Ambani and Sunil Kant Munjal were also present during the inauguration ceremony.
The India Pavilion, titled “Geographies of Distance: remembering home,” has been curated by Dr. Amin Jaffer and presented by the Ministry of Culture in partnership with the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre and Serendipity Arts.
Speaking at the event, Shekhawat said the exhibition presents a contemporary India that remains deeply rooted in its cultural identity while embracing a forward-looking vision. He said the pavilion reflects the strength of India’s cultural memory and demonstrates how artistic expression can connect the country with the global community.
Culture Secretary Vivek Aggarwal said the exhibition brings together artists whose works engage with themes of memory, transformation and identity. He added that the showcase reflects the realities of a rising India while contributing to a broader global conversation on belonging and cultural narratives.
Curator Dr. Amin Jaffer said the exhibition explores the idea of “home” not as a fixed geographical location but as an emotional and material condition shaped by memory, migration and change. He noted that the participating artists use organic materials and deeply personal storytelling to examine questions of belonging.
The exhibition features works by artists Alwar Balasubramaniam, Ranjani Shettar, Sumakshi Singh, Skarma Sonam Tashi and Asim Waqif. Their installations explore themes such as environmental change, domestic memory, ecology, sustainability and urban transformation through contemporary artistic practices rooted in Indian traditions.
Among the major installations are Bala’s clay and soil sculptural panels inspired by rural Tamil Nadu, Ranjani Shettar’s suspended nature-inspired forms, Sumakshi Singh’s thread-based recreation of her demolished family home in New Delhi, and Asim Waqif’s large-scale bamboo structure reflecting urban transition and renewal.
A parallel performance programme curated by Serendipity Arts will accompany the exhibition across Venice from May to November 2026. The programme will feature interdisciplinary presentations inspired by Indian cultural traditions and the Biennale’s theme “In Minor Keys.”
The India Pavilion is being hosted at the Arsenale venue of the Venice Biennale.