South Africa will not take part in this year’s Venice Biennale after a dispute erupted between the country’s culture ministry and the artist chosen to represent it, whose proposed installation centered on Gaza.
Gabrielle Goliath, selected to represent the country at the prestigious international art exhibition, had planned to present a performance work titled “Elegy.”
The piece was set to feature a memorial to Palestinian poet Hiba Abu Nada, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in 2023.
Goliath’s appointment by Art Periodic, a nonprofit organization tasked with managing South Africa’s pavilion, was swiftly criticized by Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie, who described the proposed work as “highly divisive.”
Although South Africa has been an outspoken critic of Israel and relations between the two countries have deteriorated amid the war in Gaza, McKenzie has distinguished himself with strong support for Israel.
In January, McKenzie ended the government’s agreement with Art Periodic, stating in a letter that South Africa’s presentation in Venice should instead project “a positive message” about the country, according to the New York Times.
In a January Facebook post, McKenzie claimed that an unnamed “foreign country” had attempted to finance South Africa’s Biennale installation. He wrote that it had been alleged that “[South Africa’s] platform was being used as a proxy by a foreign power to endorse a geopolitical message about the actions of Israel in Gaza.”
He continued, “[South Africa’s position on Israel and Gaza is clear]. Maybe this country’s position should also be stated clearly – by them, and not indirectly through another country’s platforms.”
After the decision, Goliath launched legal action against McKenzie, seeking reinstatement as the country’s representative. The case was dismissed on Tuesday.
“We believe this ruling sets a dangerous precedent, jeopardizing the rights of artists, curators, and creatives in South Africa to freedom of expression, freedom to dissent,” Goliath and her legal counsel said in a statement.
“It goes without saying that we will be contesting this ruling through an appeal.”
The culture ministry initially sought to appoint another artist but announced on Friday that South Africa would forgo participation in Venice this year.
The Biennale has previously faced controversy linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In 2024, Israel’s representative at the exhibition closed her installation in a call for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages.
Israel is expected to potentially return to the Biennale this year, though its participation has prompted boycott appeals from the pro-Palestinian group Art Not Genocide Alliance.
