Haitian-born artist Manuel Mathieu will showcase his work at the Venice Biennale 2026, taking place from May 9 to November 22, 2026. Based in Quebec since the age of 19, he is among the 111 artists selected to exhibit at the Arsenale and the Central Pavilion at the Giardini, as part of the 61st edition of one of the world’s most prestigious contemporary art events.
His participation marks a major milestone in his career, confirming his position as a leading figure in both the Quebec and international contemporary art scenes.
Raised in Haiti in a post-Duvalier context, Mathieu draws heavily from themes of human struggle, memory, and connection. His work explores historical violence, cultural representations of the body, diaspora memory, spiritual heritage, and recurring cycles of history.
Trained at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) and Goldsmiths, University of London, he works across multiple mediums, blending figurative and abstract painting with sculpture, mosaic, scent, and film.
His works are part of major collections, including the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and have been exhibited at institutions such as the PHI Foundation and Galerie Hugues Charbonneau. His public artwork Le Mont habité is also featured in Montreal’s Réseau express métropolitain.
At the Biennale, he will present a diverse body of work. The 2026 edition, themed In Minor Keys, curated by Koyo Kouoh, emphasizes listening, fragility, and silence as creative spaces.
