#France #Lyon #Artmarket #Lyon Biennial #Selma Selman

The Lyon Biennial 2026: A Transformative Platform for Contemporary Art

In the autumn of 2026, the city of Lyon will play host to the much-anticipated Lyon Biennial of Contemporary Art, following the renowned Venice Biennale. This event has firmly established itself as one of the key highlights in the international art calendar. Drawing nearly 300,000 attendees in each edition, the biennial not only offers a rich tapestry of artistic production but also generates significant public engagement, with over 2.7 million interactions with artworks displayed in various public spaces.

Event Overview

The 18th Lyon Biennial will be held from September 19 to December 13, 2026, with press days scheduled for September 16 to 18. Under the curatorial vision of Catherine Nichols, an emerging voice in international art curation, this year's theme, "Passer d'un rêve à l'autre" (From One Dream to Another), promises to explore the concept of "poetic economy". This intriguing notion moves beyond mere financial frameworks to encompass deeper relationships, flows, narratives, and values that extend to both tangible and intangible matters.

Lyon’s rich history as a hub of commerce, industry, and cultural exchange serves as an inspirational backdrop for the biennial’s ambitions, transforming the city into a vibrant laboratory where art interacts with its historical context.

Embracing Diversity

The 2026 edition will spotlight over 70 international artists from diverse backgrounds, showcasing perspectives that have been historically underrepresented within Europe. Among these are artistic voices from Australia and New Zealand, alongside prominent figures from France and the broader European scene. This effort aims to expand the artistic map, where issues surrounding value, care, heritage, and transformation intertwine across various practices, generations, and geographies.

A Key Event for International Collaboration

As a model of creative and professional collaboration, the Lyon Biennial serves as both a platform for new artistic works and a vital meeting point for professionals across the global art ecosystem. The event engages artists, curators, institutions, and the market in conversations about contemporary transformations while fostering a wide public outreach.

The biennial is set to host various exhibitions in notable venues across the city, including the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Confluence Museum, among others. Its local significance is complemented by an international reach, fortified through the involvement of prominent partners such as Artprice, once again collaborating after 26 years since their initial partnership during the landmark 2000 biennial, "Partage d'Exotisme."

Spotlight on Selma Selman

One of the highlighted artists this year is Selma Selman, whose captivating works draw on performance, photography, and painting to express her community's struggles, challenging conventional notions of labor, beauty, and value. Her innovative approach not only reflects the hidden poetry within industrial materials but also underscores the importance of chaos in artistic expression.

Conclusion

The 2026 Lyon Biennial is poised to position itself as an essential fixture in the landscape of contemporary art. By confronting contemporary issues through creative expression and fostering connections across diverse cultures, the biennial continues to evolve, engaging with its rich history while anticipating the future of artistic collaboration. As the event approaches, the anticipation builds, promising a remarkable experience for both artists and audiences alike.