Göteborg International Biennial for Contemporary Art #13
a hand that is all our hands combined
September 20 – November 30, 2025
In times marked by war, polarization, and authoritarian tendencies, the 13th edition of the Gothenburg International Biennial for Contemporary Art aims to explore how art can facilitate dialogue and reflection, and make resistance possible. At the Gothenburg Museum of Art, four artists are presented in dialogue with the museum’s collection.
This year’s edition, curated by Christina Lehnert, brings together artists whose practices embody a care that extends beyond the personal grounded in solidarity and care, with a focus on the shared responsibility of shaping our present.
The biennial’s title, a hand that is all our hands combined, is drawn from the poem Personal Effects by Solmaz Sharif, articulating a shared accountability and responsibility that transcends geographical and political borders. The exhibition highlights how artistic and collective practices can uphold freedom of speech and create space for marginalized voices.
At the Gothenburg Museum of Art, GIBCA presents four artists in dialogue with the collection on the museum’s sixth floor. By allowing contemporary works to interact with the existing collection, new contexts and meanings are created — adding new dimensions to both the exhibited works and the museum itself.
In the first gallery, acclaimed Palestinian artist Basma al-Sharif (b. 1983) is shown for the first time in Sweden, presenting a newly commissioned video work filmed on site in the museum’s galleries.
In the adjacent space, works by Kiluanji Kia Henda (b. 1979) and performance and sound artist Pamela Z (b. 1956) are presented by invitation of Jonelle Twum and Black Archives Sweden. Black Archives Sweden is a contemporary archive working to preserve and highlight the experiences of Afro-Swedes and Black individuals in Sweden.
In the final gallery, several large-scale textile works by Moki Cherry (1943–2009) are on view. Visitors are enveloped by Moki Cherry’s vibrant art, shown alongside works from the museum’s collection, including pieces by Siri Derkert and Vera Nilsson.
About GIBCA
The Gothenburg International Biennial for Contemporary Art (GIBCA) is a platform for international contemporary art that recurs every two years. Each biennial consists of several exhibitions and public programs hosted by leading art institutions in Gothenburg, independent initiatives, and in public spaces.
GIBCA 2025 is produced by Röda Sten Konsthall in collaboration with the Gothenburg City Library, the Gothenburg Museum of Art, Göteborgs Konsthall, and Skövde Art Museum.
The curator of GIBCA 2025 is Christina Lehnert, curator at the Staatliche Kunsthalle Baden-Baden. In recent years, she has curated a number of exhibitions focused on art that reflects political events, often by exploring micro-narratives against the backdrop of broader socio-political issues. Her curatorial interests lie in sound and performance, as well as collective practices in contemporary art.
For the full 2025 program, visit www.gibca.se