This year’s exhibition, ‘Washwasha’ is inspired by the Arabic Word for Whispering

The National Pavilion UAE has announced its exhibition for the 2026 Venice Biennale.
Washwasha will bring together six artists whose work explores sound, memory and identity in the UAE. Curated by Bana Kattan, with assistant curator Tala Nassar, the exhibition will be presented at the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, marking the UAE’s ninth participation in the prestigious global event.

Opening to the public from May 9 to November 22, 2026, Washwasha will feature works by Mays Albaik, Jawad Al Malhi, Farah Al Qasimi, Alaa Edris, Lamya Gargash and Taus Makhacheva. Each artist brings a unique perspective shaped by connections to the UAE, migration and cross-cultural experiences. The artists were born across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, East Jerusalem and Moscow, with several living and working between the UAE and global cities, including New York.

Taking its title from the Arabic word for “whispering,” Washwasha explores how soundscapes act as carriers of memory, movement and rapid transformation, examining the evolving sonic environment of the UAE. Through their work, the artists consider how migration, transience and long-term ties to the land influence contemporary cultural identity.

The exhibition also draws on storytelling, histories, traditions, and the relationship between sound and language. From poetry gatherings and community storytelling to modern broadcasting and digital soundscapes, Washwasha traces the evolution of listening practices in the UAE over time. The presentation connects historical forms of collective listening with contemporary experiences shaped by urban development, technology and shifting cultural landscapes.

Visitors to the UAE Pavilion, designed by Buro Koray Duman Architects, will move through a sequence of spaces that transition from intimate listening environments to immersive soundscapes. These chambers will explore the interplay between quiet, overlapping sound and noise, creating a layered experience that reflects the exhibition’s central themes.

Accompanying the exhibition will be a publication featuring essays and conversations that approach sound from historical, personal and theoretical perspectives, offering deeper insight into the artists’ work.

Two participating artists, Alaa Edris and Mays Albaik, are also alumnae of the National Pavilion UAE’s Venice Internship Programme, underscoring the pavilion’s ongoing commitment to supporting emerging and mid-career artists from the region.

By focusing on listening and subtle sonic experiences, the exhibition is expected to offer a thoughtful reflection on identity and transformation in the UAE and beyond.