Venice Biennale, Golden Lions for Lifetime Achievement awarded to two international artists

The Golden Lions of the 60th edition of the Biennale International Art Exhibition Venice were awarded to two artists. They are Nil Yalter, Turkish pioneer of the global feminist movement, and Anna Maria Maiolino, Brazilian artist originally from Scalea, Calabria. “I dedicate this Lion to the peace in the world, which we need”, said Yalter after receiving the prestigious award. “Art is an adventure of the soul and I have always believed in it” declared Maiolino, dedicating the award ” to Brazilian art”. “The Golden Lion gives its contribution to the visual arts and to the theme of immigration” commented Adriano Pedrosa, curator of the Venice Biennale.

The first honorable mention to a trans artist

For the first time in the history of the Venice Biennale, a black and transgender artist received honorable mention. We are talking about the Argentine author La Chola Poblete. “I hope to be able to open more doors so that other people like me can conquer spaces and free themselves from labels,” she said. Another special mention went to the 87-year-old artist of Palestinian origin Samia Halaby, a pioneer of digital art.

Golden Lion to the Maori artists of the Mata Aho Collective

The Golden Lion was won by the Mataaho Collective, the group formed by Maori artists Bridget Reweti, Erena Baker, Sarah Hudson and Terri Te Tau. “We thank Adriano Pedrosa for making so many queer and indigenous voices speak in this Biennale, it is important to have a platform of expression in Venice” said the artists, dedicating the award “to our families, who worked hard to get us here”. The Nigerian Karimah Ashadu received the Silver Lion.

Golden Lion to Australia

This year, Australia receives the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale, for the monumental family tree of the First Nation, drawn in chalk. “We all share responsibilities to care for all living things, today and in the future,” said curator Ellie Buttrose.

Minister Sangiuliano: “Artists always free”

“Freedom will always be guaranteed to artists” declared the Minister of Culture Gennaro Sangiuliano at the end of the presentation of the Golden Lions. The minister then thanked the artists for “the passion, commitment and dedication they put in. They build what in 100 or 200 years will be remembered as our time”.