Over 130 artists will feature in the 2026 Malta Biennale, with 11 Heritage Malta sites to occupy them
Maurizio Cattelan, known for his satirical and provocative artworks, will be headlining the Malta Biennale 2026, which will open to the public on 14 March.
Some of Cattelan's most famous works are America (2016), a solid gold toilet; and Comedian (2019), a banana duct-taped to a wall. His satirical works have sparked global debate and established him as a leading figure in contemporary art, which will unfold across 11 venues
managed by Heritage Malta.
“Between March and May, more than 130 artists from 43 different countries will transform our island into an international centre for innovation and artistic creativity,” Heritage Malta chairman Mario Cutajar said.
Speaking at MUŻA, Cutajar said the Biennale reflects a broader transformation within Malta’s national museums, shaped by visitor feedback and a renewed vision for accessibility and relevance.
“Museums today must go beyond being palaces of beautiful objects,” he said, stressing their role as spaces of knowledge, reflection, and social engagement and noted that MUŻA’s new contemporary art wing forms a key part of this shift.
The Biennale will be open to the public from 14 March and will be spread across 27 national and thematic pavilions in 11 Heritage Malta sites, in locations such as Valletta, Birgu, Xaghra, and Gozo’s capital Rabat.
Several thematic pavilions were revealed, including one at Fort St Elmo, and another at the Old Armoury located in Birgu, created by 10 prison inmates from seven different countries, including Malta, marking a first for an international Biennale.
Minister Owen Bonnici said this year's Biennale will build on its first edition, continuing to present a space for social dialogue, strengthening national identity.
“3,200 submissions were received from 122 countries, with 40 projects selected, 8 of which by Maltese artists,” Bonnici said.
Malta’s national pavilion, which will be held at MUŻA and led by Principal Curator Katya Micallef, will feature artists such as Vince Briffa and Pierre Portelli, making this space the ‘house’ of Malta’s Biennale.
The official opening will be held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre and attended by President Myriam Spiteri Debono and Prime Minister Robert Abela, alongside Maurizio Cattelan named as the main contemporary artist exhibiting at the President’s Palace.
It was also highlighted that Malta now ranks among the leading Biennale locations alongside Venice and Sydney, placing it “on a global cultural calendar”.
Maurizio Cattelan, known for his satirical and provocative artworks, will be headlining the Malta Biennale 2026, which will open to the public on 14 March.
Some of Cattelan's most famous works are America (2016), a solid gold toilet; and Comedian (2019), a banana duct-taped to a wall. His satirical works have sparked global debate and established him as a leading figure in contemporary art, which will unfold across 11 venues
managed by Heritage Malta.
“Between March and May, more than 130 artists from 43 different countries will transform our island into an international centre for innovation and artistic creativity,” Heritage Malta chairman Mario Cutajar said.
Speaking at MUŻA, Cutajar said the Biennale reflects a broader transformation within Malta’s national museums, shaped by visitor feedback and a renewed vision for accessibility and relevance.
“Museums today must go beyond being palaces of beautiful objects,” he said, stressing their role as spaces of knowledge, reflection, and social engagement and noted that MUŻA’s new contemporary art wing forms a key part of this shift.
The Biennale will be open to the public from 14 March and will be spread across 27 national and thematic pavilions in 11 Heritage Malta sites, in locations such as Valletta, Birgu, Xaghra, and Gozo’s capital Rabat.
Several thematic pavilions were revealed, including one at Fort St Elmo, and another at the Old Armoury located in Birgu, created by 10 prison inmates from seven different countries, including Malta, marking a first for an international Biennale.
Minister Owen Bonnici said this year's Biennale will build on its first edition, continuing to present a space for social dialogue, strengthening national identity.
“3,200 submissions were received from 122 countries, with 40 projects selected, 8 of which by Maltese artists,” Bonnici said.
Malta’s national pavilion, which will be held at MUŻA and led by Principal Curator Katya Micallef, will feature artists such as Vince Briffa and Pierre Portelli, making this space the ‘house’ of Malta’s Biennale.
The official opening will be held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre and attended by President Myriam Spiteri Debono and Prime Minister Robert Abela, alongside Maurizio Cattelan named as the main contemporary artist exhibiting at the President’s Palace.
It was also highlighted that Malta now ranks among the leading Biennale locations alongside Venice and Sydney, placing it “on a global cultural calendar”.