Simone Leigh will be the first black woman artist to represent US at Venice Biennale

Commissioned by ICA Boston, the works by Simone Liegh will be presented in cooperation with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Over the past two decades, Simone Leigh has created an indelible body of work that centers the experiences and histories of Black women, elevating ideas about history, race, gender, labor, and monuments. For the U.S. Pavilion in Venice, the artist will create a new series of sculptures in ceramic, bronze, and raffia, inspired by leading Black intellectuals.

The 59th Venice Biennale will take place 23 April-27 November 2022 following the decision to postpone the Architecture Biennale until May 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.