About
Founded in 2013, the London Biennale is an international exhibition of contemporary art founded on a belief in quality and talent, bringing artists and audiences from around the world together in London every two years.
The London Biennale grew out of decades of experience in the art market and museum exhibitions in Italy and London, including at the V&A and Leighton House. Its founders wanted to create a place where quality and talent came first, and where artists could reach an international audience through the strength of their work.
The exhibition is curated by the International Confederation of Art Critics, the Chianciano Art Museum and Gagliardi Gallery. Drawing on longstanding relationships with artists and institutions around the world, they shared a vision of creating a meeting place for exceptional talent in London, one of the world’s great art capitals. That vision has grown into one of the world’s largest curated art events, welcoming hundreds of artists across cultures and generations, and introducing their work to an international audience.
Curatorial Vision
At the heart of the Biennale is a simple conviction, expressed by its Cultural
Director: Empowering the art to speak, rather than people speaking for the art.
Over the years, the Biennale has welcomed thousands of artists from over 100 countries, giving internationally established and emerging artists an equal place in the exhibition. Through their work, cultures, traditions and generations come together, while each artist retains their individuality and distinct voice.
The exhibition takes shape as a journey of contrast, discovery and exchange, guided by the artworks themselves. With no prescribed theme, the curators take time to consider how each piece meets the next, creating a natural rhythm through the exhibition and moments to pause, look closer and discover something unexpected.
Within that journey, every artwork deserves its own voice. The space around a painting, the view of a sculpture and the relationship between neighbouring works all matter. Our aim is to give each piece room to be seen and appreciated, both in its own right and as part of the exhibition.
We know how much artists put into their work, and value the trust they place in us. Behind each piece are time, thought and something deeply personal. We bring that understanding to every curatorial decision, giving each artwork the same care, respect and attention.
We hope visitors leave with a work still in mind, a new artist to follow or a feeling they did not expect. Those connections are at the heart of the Biennale’s purpose, bringing artists and audiences closer together.
How artists are chosen
Artists submit directly to the London Biennale, where the panel considers innovation, quality, concept and technique. The search is for excellence in the work itself.
Artists of any nationality and at any stage of their practice are welcome. All artists, including those of international renown, are considered through the same application and selection process.
A charitable tradition
Charity has been part of the London Biennale since its first edition. Each exhibition is accompanied by a raffle in aid of good causes, drawn on works and prizes given freely by artists, collectors and friends of the Biennale.
Over the years, those gifts have included an original Andy Warhol, a work by Pietro Annigoni, the celebrated portraitist of Queen Elizabeth II, and a José Van Roy Dalí. Prizes have also extended beyond art: in 2019, a new Fiat 500 was raffled, with the winning ticket drawn at the Biennale by the Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea.
The tradition has continued through every edition, raising tens of thousands of pounds while making philanthropy part of the exhibition itself.
The causes we support
Funds raised through the London Biennale have supported organisations including Rotary International’s End Polio Now campaign, The Salvation Army, London’s Air Ambulance and Age UK. One hundred per cent of proceeds from raffle ticket sales are donated to charity.
The donations have traditionally been presented during the exhibition by the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, reflecting a civic relationship that has been part of the Biennale since its earliest editions.
Supporters & collaborators
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Chianciano Art Museum
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Lady Sophie Windsor inaugurated the 2019 edition and opened its vernissage. Nicholas Bonham conducted the charity auction. The Mayors of Kensington and Chelsea have presented its charitable donations since 2013.
