Focus Océanien

For this 18th edition, la Biennale de Lyon devotes special attention to Oceania — conceived not as a mere spotlight, but as a space of relation and movement. Artists from Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region bring practices rooted in histories of colonialism, extraction and circulation, as well as contested sovereignties. Their works probe the economies underpinning these narratives, their value systems, the inter-generational responsibilities they entail, and the modes of transmission they enable — resonating with Lyon’s own material and political realities. This dialogue does not simply expand the frame, but shifts its coordinates, revealing other ways of inhabiting the world and imagining interdependencies.

To celebrate this exceptional artistic presence, we are planning an afternoon dedicated to contemporary artistic practices from the Asia-Pacific region on 17 September, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, bringing together two panel discussions at the Biennale’s main venue : les Grandes Locos (in the outside tent).

Starting with the Australian panel from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, this moment will foster dialogue between Catherine Nichols and Kelli Cole – as co-moderators – and artists Thea Anamara Perkins, Kirtika Kain and Mikala Dwyer.

The afternoon will then continue with a second panel revolving around Aotearoa New Zealand’s contemporary art scene, from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Co-moderated by Catherine Nichols and Taarati Taiaroa, the discussion will offer the opportunity to delve into Aotearoa New Zealand’s cultural context through a conversation with artists Luke Willis Thompson, Ngahina Hohaia and Rangi Kipa.

The significant presence of Asia-Pacific artists in this 18th edition is made possible by the decisive support of Fondation Opale, Creative Australia, the Australian Embassy in France, the Foundation for Franco-Australian Cultural Exchanges (FACEF), Lisa Fox and Kerry Gardner via FACEF, Creative New Zealand, the New Zealand Cultural Diplomacy International Programme, the Office for Contemporary Art Aotearoa (OCAA), and the Govett Brewster Foundation, Toi Māori Aotearoa, the Gow Family Foundation and Charlotte and Christopher Swasbrook, via OCAA.