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The Venice Art Biennale, which will run from 9 May to 22 November 2026, remains the most important global platform for the exhibition of visual arts involving the public, members of civil society, individuals and institutions. It offers a unique opportunity for Irish artists to engage with international audiences.
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, T.D., congratulated Irish artist Isabel Nolan on the launch of Ireland’s Representation at the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia.
Artist Isabel Nolan, with curator Georgina Jackson with the Douglas Hyde Gallery of Contemporary Art, were selected to represent Ireland on the basis of an open call. The Department, through Culture Ireland, commissions Ireland’s representation in Venice. Ireland at Venice, which includes a national tour is a partnership between Culture Ireland and the Arts Council.
Responding to this year’s theme, In Minor Keys - selected by curator of La Biennale, the late Koyo Kouoh, the Irish Pavilion is entitled Dreamshook. The word Dreamshook describes the feeling of waking from a dream, when reality is destabilised and realms of possibility linger and dissipate. In the Irish Pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, Nolan’s installation of hand-tufted tapestry, drawing, and sculpture, represents thresholds, dream states and narratives that strain the distinctions between the immaterial and the actual. The work develops from her sustained fascination with the frameworks that shape any understanding of the world and the widespread human desire to make order within chaos.
Minister O’Donovan said: “I would like to congratulate artist Isabel Nolan, curator Georgina Jackson and the whole Dreamshook team on launching the Irish representation at the 2026 Venice Art Biennale. My Department through Culture Ireland commissions Ireland at Venice in partnership with the Arts Council. The initiative showcases the richness and vitality of Irish art at one of the world’s most significant cultural platforms.”
Ireland at Venice 2026 build on Ireland’s strong presence at the La biennale di Venezia. In recent years, Ireland has been represented by Eimear Walshe in an exhibition curated by Sara Greavu and Project Arts Centre, and Niamh O’Malley with TBG+.
Dreamshook will be on view at the Irish Pavilion in the Arsenale, during the 61 st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, which runs from 9 May to 22 November 2026. Following its presentation in Venice, Dreamshook will tour Ireland in 2027 supported by the Arts Council.
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