Curated by the Michelangelo Foundation and themed “An Island of Light,” the biennale runs through Sept. 30 under the artistic direction of Es Devlin. The event, billed as an international showcase of contemporary craftsmanship, will feature a dedicated Indian pavilion supported by the JSW Foundation.
“We are proud that JSW Foundation will participate… creating an international stage where Indian master artisans engage with global audiences, not as representatives of folklore, but as peers in a shared creative language,” said Sangita Jindal, chairperson of the JSW Foundation.
The Indian contingent includes a diverse roster of makers. Mother‑of‑pearl artist Kinkar Ghosh, together with multidisciplinary creator Inderjeet Sandhu, will present the sculptural vessel *Tidal Fragments* in the “A Feast of Light” exhibition. Stone carver Kavin Mehta will display *Prelude*, a hand‑carved limestone sculpture dyed in natural indigo, in “A Rooted Ascent.”
Terracotta sculptor Suraj Sahu’s works *Ritual in Ruin* and *Shelter of Lost Offerings* explore temple architecture in the “An Alphabet of Objects” show, while cane‑craft artist Jesmina Zeliang will exhibit the woven piece *Zing Fuh* in the same venue.
Textile and paper artists Sumakshi Singh and Mohan Kumar Verma will present paper works *Shot* and *Tall Pillar* made from banana‑fibre paper in “An Atelier Alive.” Wood‑carver Reha Salvi’s charred neem pieces *From The Shore* and *Beej* join the “A Rooted Ascent” display.
Glass studio Klove Studio (Prateek Jain and Gautam Seth) will contribute the luminous *Enchanted Forest Lamp* to “An Atelier Alive,” while multidisciplinary artist Valay Gada will show the hyper‑realistic botanical sculpture *Square Petal* in “A Rainbow of Forms.”
Other participants range from blue‑pottery specialist Gopal Saini (*Neel Baug* in “A Full Moon Rising”) to the Bengaluru design collective Vernacular Modern, whose timber‑inlay piece *Sarpa Gaja Asandi* will appear in “A Rooted Ascent.”
Live demonstrations will highlight traditional techniques: metal‑inlay artisan Mohammed Abdul Bari will perform a Bidri engraving showcase from Sept. 2‑5, and seventh‑generation shadow‑puppet maker Kanday Anjanappa will stage puppet performances Sept. 18‑21, both within the “An Atelier Alive” program.
The biennale’s inclusion of Indian makers reflects a broader shift to recognize craft as contemporary art rather than cultural folklore. By placing Indian artisans alongside peers from around the world, the event aims to foster cross‑cultural dialogue, open new market opportunities and encourage sustainable practice within traditional craft communities.