Angela Harutyunyan and Paula Nascimento Named Curators for Sharjah Biennial 17

In a significant development for the contemporary art world, the Sharjah Art Foundation has announced the appointment of Angela Harutyunyan and Paula Nascimento as the curators for the upcoming Sharjah Biennial 17, which is set to open in January 2027. This announcement, made on June 25, 2025, marks a pivotal moment for the Biennial, known for its role in facilitating creative experimentation and cultural exchange.

Angela Harutyunyan, a Professor of Contemporary Art and Theory at the Berlin University of the Arts, and Paula Nascimento, an independent curator and architect based in Luanda, will bring diverse perspectives to the Biennial, which has been a platform for regional and international artistic dialogue since its inception in 2003. Hoor Al Qasimi, President and Director of the Sharjah Art Foundation, emphasized the importance of this appointment, stating, “Angela Harutyunyan and Paula Nascimento each bring distinct perspectives shaped by their individual practices. Sharjah Biennial 17 will be a space for critical engagement and collective reflection, where their curatorial visions can collaboratively explore new contemporary realities.”

The Biennial is expected to feature a wide range of artistic projects that explore alternative contemporary realities. Harutyunyan expressed her interest in examining the ways art can encapsulate the complex temporalities of contemporary life, stating, “The possibilities and limitations of the biennial form in making visible the uneven temporal rhythms that pulsate beneath contemporaneity are of particular interest to me.” Nascimento echoed this sentiment, noting that biennials serve as fundamental spaces for experimenting with exhibition-making and fostering community transformations. She remarked, “I am interested in thinking with artists and in the articulations between art-making and infrastructure in an expanded way, as well as exploring art’s capacity to imagine and propose spaces and other worlds and forms of relations.”

The appointment of Harutyunyan and Nascimento comes at a time when the art world is increasingly focused on the intersections of art, culture, and social issues. Harutyunyan, who hails from Gyumri, Armenia, has an extensive background in curatorial practice and research. She is a founding member of The Ashot Johannissyan Research Institute in the Humanities and the Beirut Institute of Critical Analysis and Research. Nascimento, born in Luanda, Angola, has cultivated her practice at the crossroads of visual arts and urbanism, focusing on contemporary interpretations of historical themes, particularly in Africa and the Global South.

Their combined expertise positions them to curate a Biennial that not only reflects artistic innovation but also addresses pressing social and cultural issues. As the countdown to January 2027 begins, the art community is eager to see how Harutyunyan and Nascimento will shape the narrative of the Sharjah Biennial, continuing its legacy as a vital forum for contemporary art.

The Sharjah Biennial has previously showcased a wealth of artistic talent and has been pivotal in fostering collaboration between artists from diverse backgrounds. As it prepares for its 17th edition, the foundation’s commitment to bridging cultures and shared histories remains a cornerstone of its mission. With Harutyunyan and Nascimento at the helm, the upcoming Biennial promises to further this mission through innovative exhibition practices and critical engagement with contemporary realities.

For media inquiries, please contact Alyazeyah Al Marri at alyazeyah@sharjahart.org.