Oman’s pavilion pick
- Haitham Al Busafi has been selected to represent Oman at the 2026 Venice Biennale. (artasiapacific.com) - He plans an installation using sand, metal, and sound, and is described as an architect and curator. (artasiapacific.com) - Those materials and his professional background point to a spatial, materially driven pavilion rather than a conventional object display. (artasiapacific.com)
Oman has picked Haitham Al Busafi to represent the country at the 2026 Venice Biennale with a new pavilion installation. (artasiapacific.com) The 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia runs from May 9 to Nov. 22, 2026, with preview days on May 6, 7, and 8. Al Busafi will present Oman’s national pavilion there. (labiennale.org) ArtAsiaPacific and Arab News identified Al Busafi as an artist, architect, and curator. Arab News also reported that he will serve as curator of the pavilion as well as its artist. (artasiapacific.com, arabnews.com) The Venice Biennale is built around a large international exhibition and separate national pavilions. Those pavilions let countries frame how they want to present themselves in one of contemporary art’s biggest recurring events. (artsy.net, labiennale.org) For Oman, that means the project is also a state-backed cultural presentation. Canvas and Oman Observer said the pavilion was commissioned by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth. (canvasonline.com, omanobserver.om) The work is titled *Zīnah*, according to ArtDaily and other reports. ArtDaily said the installation will use sand, suspended metal, and collectively generated sound in the Arsenale Artiglierie. (artdaily.com, msn.com) ArtDaily said *Zīnah* draws on Al-zannah, a tradition of Omani silver horse adornment, and scales it into a participatory environment rather than a display of discrete objects. That points to a pavilion built around movement, materials, and sound in space. (artdaily.com, artasiapacific.com) Oman’s officials have framed the pavilion in diplomatic terms as well as artistic ones. Canvas quoted Culture Minister Sayyid Saud bin Hilal Al Busaidi saying the Biennale reflects a national effort to strengthen Oman’s cultural presence internationally and use culture as a form of dialogue. (canvasonline.com) Al Busafi has described the pavilion as a quieter kind of encounter. Oman Observer quoted him saying the project is rooted in care and awareness and opens space for contemplation and interaction. (omanobserver.om) When the Biennale opens on May 9, Oman’s pitch will not be a wall of paintings or a case of objects. It will be an environment visitors walk through, hear, and physically navigate. (artasiapacific.com, artdaily.com)
