Even in death, Enwezor to curate Sharjah Biennial

Ahead of the next Sharjah Biennial, in UAE, the late renowned art critic, Okwui Enwezor (1963-2019), has been announced as the curator. According to Sharjah Art Foundation (SAF), Enwezor conceived the 15th edition of the Sharjah Biennial (SB15) themed ‘Thinking Historically in the Present’ .

SAF recalled that Enwezor started developing the theme in spring 2018 to reflect on the past 14 editions and to consider the future of the biennial model.

“In accordance with Enwezor’s wishes, SB15 will be realised with the support of SAF Director, Hoor Al Qasimi as co-curator alongside a working group of Enwezor’s longtime collaborators. The list include curator Tarek Abou El Fetouh; professor and Founding Director of NTU CCA Singapore, Ute Meta Bauer; art historian and Cornell University professor, Salah M. Hassan; and art historian and Princeton University professor, Chika Okeke-Agulu.”

The annoincement added that Al Qasimi and the SB15 Working Group will oversee the development and implementation of Enwezor’s curatorial concept in collaboration with an advisory committee composed of architect Sir David Adjaye, artist John Akomfrah and Ashkal Alwan Director Christine Tohme, who will provide additional consultation on the Biennial.

Organised around the title and theme for next year, the event will focus on the 30th anniversary of the Sharjah Biennial, bringing together former curators, artistic directors and artists as well art historians and critics to examine the role of the Biennial in the region and in the global contemporary art scene.