Venice Unveiled: Top 10 Exhibitions Through the Eyes of a British Pavilion Fellow
We were delighted to be part of the British Council’s 2024 Venice Fellowship programme, and to offer an opportunity for two artists from the North West to spend a month in Venice during the world’s most important art and architecture biennales.
The Fellowships Programme is a key part of the British Council’s presence in Venice, supporting the exhibition programme as well as being a platform for the development of artists and creatives. The Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for early career artists to represent the UK on an international level whilst broadening their perspective, making connections and developing their creative practice.
Our 2024 Venice Fellows were multimedia artist and reasercher Amy Townsend-Lowcock and multidisciplinary artist Isabella So.
For Lowry blog, Isabella So has rounded up her Top 10 Exhibitions.
As a theatremaker dedicated to creating immersive, cross-cultural verbatim pieces that celebrate migrant stories through the lens of food, I was thrilled to spend a month as a fellow at the British Pavilion in Venice. The 2024 Venice Biennale, with its compelling theme "Foreigners Everywhere," offered a unique platform to delve into diverse artistic interpretations that resonate deeply with my own work.
In this blog post, I'll take you on a journey through my personal highlights from the Biennale, focusing on the pavilions and exhibitions that opened my eyes and left a lasting impression.
Arsenale: A Treasure Trove of International Art
The Arsenale, one of the Biennale's main venues, hosts an impressive array of national pavilions. Among these, one stood out particularly:
Prêt-à-Patria, Sánchez Kane
Walking into the space, I was immediately struck by the towering installation of soldiers in military uniforms, stacked face upon face, reaching towards the ceiling. It was a sight that demanded attention—a visceral commentary on nationalism and state power. As I quickly snapped a photo, ready to move on, I thought I had grasped the essence of the piece.
However, it was only when my friend, Ray, started taking pictures from the back that I noticed the delicate lingerie hidden among the uniforms. This unexpected contrast between masculine military attire and feminine undergarments reframed the entire narrative. Prêt-à-Patria presents a provocative and ironic perspective on Mexican nationalism, state worship, and the forceful shaping of identities, leaving the visitors questioning the roles of masculinity and femininity in the constructs of power.
Seychelles Pavillion: Pala
The Seychelles Pavilion showcases the work of four Seychellois artists: Jude Ally, Ryan Chetty, Danielle Freakley, and Juliette Zelime (aka Jadez). The exhibition explores the complexities of national, cultural, and social identity. I was particularly drawn to Danielle Freakley's interactive art, where visitors are invited to tie pieces of their hair to colourful ribbons, sparking new conversations and connections.
This simple yet profound act of participation transformed the artwork into a living, breathing dialogue, embodying the inclusive spirit of the Seychelles.
Hidden Gems in the City Center
Venturing beyond the main Biennale sites, I discovered remarkable exhibitions nestled within Venice's picturesque city centre:
Portugal: The Greenhouse
Beautifully displayed in a space with gothic windows overlooking Ponte dell’Accademia, the Portugal Pavilion recreates a Creole garden—historically, a plot given to enslaved people to cultivate for their sustenance. But this is more than just a garden; it’s a powerful symbol of resistance and resilience. The pavilion tells a story of dignity and freedom reclaimed in the face of oppression. The interplay between the lush greenery and the surrounding architecture evoked a sense of both tranquillity and defiance, reminding me of the enduring power of nature as a source of hope and survival.
Ivory Coast: The Blue Note
Stepping into the Ivory Coast Pavilion felt like entering a jazz bar, bathed in blue neon light with the soulful strains of blues music filling the air. The exhibition, themed around slavery, juxtaposes this unsettling history with the soothing ambience of a jazz club—a setting traditionally associated with liberation and expression. I found myself deep in conversation with the invigilators, discussing how the music's melancholic tones amplified the heavy themes of the transatlantic slave trade.
Fun tip: if you ask nicely, they might share some Ivory Coast chocolate sprinkles—an unexpected delight that added a sweet, albeit bittersweet, touch to the experience. They also serve coffee, enhancing the bar-like atmosphere and offering a moment of pause amidst the weighty subject matter.
Giardini: The Heart of the Biennale
The Giardini, the traditional centre of the Venice Biennale, hosted several thought-provoking pavilions. Two, in particular, resonated deeply with me:
Dutch Pavilion: The International Celebration of Blasphemy and The Sacred
The moment I entered the Dutch Pavilion, I was enveloped by the scent of cocoa powder, sugar, and palm oil—a sensory reminder of the dark history of colonial exploitation. The sculptures, oozing palm oil from the walls, made an indelible impression as they confronted the viewer with the legacy of British-Dutch multinational Unilever and its role in the exploitation of plantation workers. The exhibition was a powerful, multi-sensory experience that forced me to reckon with the ongoing impact of colonialism in the most visceral way.
The exhibition was a powerful, multi-sensory experience that forced me to reckon with the ongoing impact of colonialism in the most visceral way.
Australian Pavilion: kith and kin
In stark contrast to the sensory overload of the Dutch Pavilion, the Australian Pavilion enveloped me in silence. The centrepiece of the exhibition—a coroner's report documenting the deaths of First Nations people as recently as last year—brought me to tears. The black ink pool surrounding the table of documents served as a reflective mirror, inviting visitors to confront their own complicity and sorrow.
The gap between the viewer and the documents created a sense of reverence, almost as if bowing in respect and condolence. One invigilator pointed out that the windows framing the canal reminded us that, no matter where we are in the world, water connects us all—an eloquent metaphor for the shared pain and history of Indigenous peoples.
Archie Moore's exploration of his Kamilaroi and Bigambul family tree, with chalkboard writing that stretched to the ceiling, left me in awe of the resilience of 2,400 generations of people who have endured colonial violence.
Honourable Mentions
Egypt - Drama 1882 - دراما ١٨٨٢
Although I was only able to watch a few scenes, the production value and storytelling of Drama 1882 were captivating. The exhibition artist's background as a puppeteer shines through, bringing historical events to life with a dynamic, almost animated quality. The piece intricately interprets the events leading up to the bombardment of Alexandria by British forces and the historic Battle of Tel El Kebir, creating a vivid reimagining of this significant period in Egyptian history.
Hong Kong - Courtyard of Attachments
Trevor Yeung's Courtyard of Attachments instantly reminded me of the fish markets in Prince Edward, Hong Kong. The empty tanks, devoid of life, prompted reflection on the fragile ecology that sustains these aquatic creatures and the precarious balance required to keep them alive in captivity. Yeung’s work subtly opens up a dialogue about the systems that govern our existence, while also alluding to the urgent issues surrounding the current climate crisis.
Ocean Space
A special thanks to the M+B team for organising guided tours during our time at the Biennale, which allowed us to explore various exhibitions in greater depth. Among them, Ocean Space left the most profound impression. The exhibition’s masterful use of space powerfully conveys the grave concerns associated with deep-sea mining and its potential impact on climate change.
One particularly moving element involved sitting on the earthen bricks, an act designed to encourage visitors to acknowledge Wainuiātea and to bring their own ancestors with them into these ceremonial grounds. I chose to sit facing south, as Hong Kong—where I am from—is situated southward relative to many of the visitors from places like America and England. This personal connection deepened my experience, making it not just an exploration of environmental issues, but also a moment of cultural reflection and ancestral reverence.
A Glimpse of What Could Have Been
The Holy See
While time constraints prevented me from visiting every pavilion, one that particularly intrigued me was the Vatican Pavilion, located within Venice’s women’s prison. Although I tried to book it twice, shifting schedules meant I never made it inside.
From what I gathered, the pavilion offers a rare opportunity to engage directly with prisoners in a courtyard setting. The presence of a policewoman at the entrance, checking each visitor's ID, underscored the gravity and rarity of this experience. It’s a pavilion that remains a mystery to me—one I hope to unravel in the future.
Reflections from a British Pavilion Fellow
My month-long fellowship at the British Pavilion offered a unique vantage point from which to experience the Biennale. The theme "Foreigners Everywhere" resonates deeply with my work on migrant stories and cross-cultural experiences. As a Hong Kong-born Korean, it was heartening to see the diasporic threads woven throughout the exhibitions, reflecting the shared experiences of displacement and identity.
As I return to my theatre-making practice, I carry with me a wealth of inspiration and new perspectives. The diverse artistic approaches I encountered have expanded my vision for Dishing Out Memories, and I'm eager to incorporate these influences into my future projects.
The Venice Biennale serves as a powerful reminder of art's ability to bridge cultural divides and foster understanding. For anyone passionate about international art and cross-cultural dialogue, I highly recommend experiencing the Biennale firsthand. It's an unparalleled opportunity to see the world through the eyes of artists from across the globe, each grappling with what it means to be a "foreigner" in our interconnected world.