Fiona Pardington to represent Aotearoa at La Biennale di Venezia in 2026

The artist was selected by Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, the Creative New Zealand delivery partner for Aotearoa's pavilion at the event.

Fiona Pardington (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Mamoe, Ngāti Kahungunu, Clan Cameron of Erracht) has just been announced as Aotearoa New Zealand’s representative at La Biennale di Venezia in 2026.

Pardington was selected by the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, who were named as The Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa’s Biennale delivery partner.

Pardington says being asked to exhibit in Aotearoa New Zealand’s National Pavillion is an unexpected and extraordinary moment in her career:

“I am deeply honoured and humbled by this incredible opportunity to represent Aotearoa at the Venice Biennale. I am profoundly grateful that my work is appreciated like this and for all the people furiously paddling the waka who have brought me to this point. Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.”

Pardington is represented by Starkwhite gallery.

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