Jitish Kallat to Chair Curator Selection for Next Kochi–Muziris Biennale

The Kochi Biennale Foundation has announced that contemporary artist and curator Jitish Kallat will assume the role of President of the Kochi–Muziris Biennale to chair the selection of the curator for the next edition. The announcement was made by Dr. Venu V., Chairperson of the Foundation.

Leadership Transition
- The Kochi Biennale Foundation has appointed Jitish Kallat as President to chair the Curator Selection Committee for the next Kochi–Muziris Biennale.
- This follows the decision of Bose Krishnamachari, co-founder of the Biennale, to step down earlier this year.

Kallat’s Background & Role
- Based in Mumbai, Kallat is a Board of Trustees member of the Foundation.
- He previously curated the second edition (2014–15), Whorled Explorations.
- His appointment reflects both his long association with the Biennale and his international standing in contemporary art.

Statements
- Dr. Venu V., Chairperson of the Foundation: praised Kallat’s experience and said he is “well placed to take this forward.”
- Jitish Kallat: emphasized the Biennale’s role in shaping conversations around contemporary art and expressed commitment to a “thoughtful and rigorous selection.”

Artistic Profile
- Kallat’s work explores intersections of science, historical memory, and existential inquiry, often juxtaposing the everyday with the cosmic.
- His art has been exhibited at major institutions worldwide, including Tate Modern, Mori Art Museum, Venice Biennale, and the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi.
- He has also curated projects such as I Draw, Therefore I Think (2021) and Tangled Hierarchy (2022).

Current Biennale
- The sixth edition, For the Time Being, curated by Nikhil Chopra with HH Art Spaces, is ongoing and will conclude on 31 March 2026.

This marks a pivotal moment for the Biennale, with Kallat’s leadership expected to bring both continuity and fresh vision to the next edition.