The prestigious Bienal de São Paulo has revealed that Amanda Carneiro and Raphael Fonseca will serve as the chief curators for its 2027 edition. The theme they will explore is set to be disclosed in the upcoming months.
Taking place in the architecturally stunning Pavilhão Ciccillo Matarazzo, designed by Oscar Niemeyer in Ibirapuera Park, this biennial is recognized as the largest contemporary art exhibition in Latin America.
Andrea Pinheiro, president of the Fundação Bienal de São Paulo, expressed enthusiasm about the selection. "The choice of Amanda and Raphael for the 37th edition reflects our evolving history," she noted. "For the second time, we have two Brazilian curators collaborating equally in leading the artistic direction. This decision stems from a thoughtful selection process, affirming that Brazil boasts a curatorial generation equipped with the talent and vision to keep the Bienal at the forefront of contemporary artistic discourse."
Fonseca is a notable figure in the international art scene, having recently held the position of curator for modern and contemporary Latin American art at the Denver Art Museum. Currently based in Lisbon, he serves as the visual arts curator for Culturgest. His impressive portfolio includes major exhibitions, such as the upcoming 3rd Counterpublic Triennial and the 2025 Bienal do Mercosul, as well as involvement with the Taiwan Pavilion in Venice.
Carneiro, a curator at the Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP), has gained recognition for her work with artists like Santiago Yahuarcani and Beatriz Milhazes. She was also part of the curatorial team for the 2024 Venice Biennale's main exhibition, "Stranieri Ovunque - Foreigners Everywhere." Previously, she contributed to Museu Afro Brasil Emanoel Araujo in São Paulo.
"This project is both a joy and a responsibility," Carneiro remarked. "I look forward to collaborating with artists in São Paulo, my city, to help realize their visions and work alongside the Bienal team to shape this edition."
The appointment of these two dynamic curators heralds a promising future for the Bienal de São Paulo, suggesting an enriching dialogue between contemporary art and its diverse cultural landscape.