Her name is Chola Poblete and she is the Argentine artist who was awarded an honorable mention at the Venice Biennale.
It is the first time that this has happened at the Biennale towards a trans artist. Chola Poblete, happy, commented “I hope to be able to open other doors so that other people like me can conquer spaces and free themselves from labels”. The second mention went to 87-year-old Samia Halaby. She is Palestinian, she is the pioneer of digital art. So, Golden Lions for these two exceptional women. Samia Halaby is also an activist. She now lives in New York, therefore, for the awarding of this recognition she connected via Skype. Chola Poblete was chosen by the jury for her notable commitment to transgender issues in relation to indigenous and South American populations. She represents the absolute ‘first time’ for a trans artist at the Venice Biennale.
The Lions for Lifetime Achievement, however, were awarded to the Turkish artist Nil Yalter and to the Italian but immigrant to Brazil, Anna Maria Maiolino. The latter is Italian, Calabrian, but Brazilian by adoption. You dedicated your award to Brazilian art, saying “art is like an adventure for the soul and I have always believed in it”. You also won the Australian Golden Lion for your monumental First Nation family tree drawn in chalk.
Tags: Venice Biennale allfemale Golden Lions
