4th Karachi Biennale to commence on October 27

The fourth edition of Karachi Biennale will open its doors to the public from October 27 for two weeks, and showcase art across Karachi.

It was announced by organisers at a press conference on Wednesday. This time ‘Rizq/Risk’ as the theme will connect visitors to the foodscape of our time as over 40 artists from 10 countries will offer interactive projects, including installations and performances, videos, and paintings. These will be installed at five venues across Karachi and are free for all.

The venues include Bagh Ibne Qasim, Clifton; Alliance Francaise, Clifton; Frere Hall, Saddar; NED University, Saddar; and Sambara Art Gallery, Stadium Road.

The theme is in response to Pakistan’s recent flood and heatwaves that have impacted food security and calls for us to pause for a moment, and reflect. Artists through their work will start conversations on colonial and neo-liberal policies of food production and trade that privilege capital gain over hunger and ecology.

Works will offer insights into indigenous wisdom as a key to healing the land and environment, and shine a light on the central role of women as keepers of traditional knowledge and food cultures.

Speaking on the occasion, Niilofur Farrukh, managing trustee, KBT, said, “Through art we can approach difficult subjects that impact our lives and bring awareness of its complexities. The conversations on Rizq/Risk during KB24 will bring together the global urgency of the issues and the collective struggle for food justice. With the tagline of ‘Nai fasal ki umeed’ (in the hope of a new harvast), we want the exhibitions to point towards hope and ideas that lead to solutions.”

Almas Bana acknowledged the support of philanthropists and corporate houses towards the Karachi Biennale, as well as the city and provincial governments which have always offered heritage spaces and public parks as venues to them, without charge. Since 2022, the Cultural Department of Sindh has opened the doors of the Sambara Art Gallery to Karachi Biennale.

The curator of KB24, Waheeda Baloch, expanded on her interpretation of the theme and how growing up in Mirpurkhas and working all over Sindh, combined with the time spent in Sweden and Germany for studies, has helped her to bring a global perspective to the issues of Rizq/Risk.

The Fourth Karachi Biennale will offer three art prizes, the KB24 Juried Prize, the KB24 EBM Emerging Artist Prize and the Performance Art Prize to acknowledge talent and excellence. KB24 public programming offers artists talks and keynote talks, guided tours, workshops, and a temporary reading room at Bagh Ibne Qasim to create an opportunity for visitors to enjoy viewing art and browsing through books.

‘Palestinian Artists Live in our Hearts’ is a small show of works on fabric by art students from all over Pakistan installed at Bagh Ibne Qasim. These works are a tribute to the contribution and courage of the artists of Gaza.