Helsinki Biennial 2025

The third edition of Helsinki Biennial will be curated by art historian, curator and HAM’s Head of Exhibitions Kati Kivinen, and curator, art historian and researcher Blanca de la Torre.

The upcoming biennial will spread across three distinct venues: the unique maritime setting of Vallisaari Island, Esplanade Park in the heart of Helsinki, and HAM Helsinki Art Museum’s Tennis Palace premises.

The theme of the biennial’s third edition, Shelter, takes inspiration from the habitat of Vallisaari Island, which has been preserved from human habitation for decades. The biennial reflects on the fragile relationship between humanity and the natural world. Moving beyond human-centric perspectives, the featured artworks foreground animals, plants, fungi, insects and minerals. The biennial seeks to forge new spaces of protection and inspire positive environmental action.

The first eleven participants announced to date are Band of Weeds (FI), Ana Teresa Barboza (PE), Sara Bjarland (FI/NL), Tania Candiani (MX), Olafur Eliasson (DK/IS), Geraldine Javier (PH), LOCUS / Thale Blix Fastvold & Tanja Thorjussen (NO), nabbteeri (FI), Ernesto Neto (BR), Otobong Nkanga (NG/BE) and Hans Rosenström (FI).