Low Kee Hong appointed Artistic Director of the 26th Biennale of Sydney

The Biennale of Sydney has appointed Low Kee Hong as Artistic Director of its 26th edition, opening in March 2028.

For the 26th Biennale of Sydney, Low will bring together artists from Australia and around the world through a multidisciplinary programme encompassing contemporary art, music, architecture, performance, literature, philosophy, food, fashion and nature.

With an exhibition of contemporary art at its core, the edition will explore new approaches to biennial-making centred on participation, discovery and collective experience. Low’s vision will focus on creating new forms of assembly, rebuilding communities and celebrating the capacity for joy during challenging times.

Low is currently Creative Director of Factory International at Aviva Studios in Manchester, where he oversees the organisation’s curatorial team and works alongside Artistic Director and Chief Executive John McGrath to develop its artistic programme. He also leads the curation of the biennial Manchester International Festival.

Most recently, Low collaborated with Chinese contemporary artist Ai Weiwei on Sewing a Button, the artist’s first 24-hour durational performance. Presented at Aviva Studios, the work formed part of Ai Weiwei: Button Up!, the artist’s largest site-specific exhibition to date, curated by Low.

His previous roles include Founding Director and General Manager of the Singapore Biennale, Artistic Director and General Manager of the Singapore Arts Festival, Associate Artistic Director of TheatreWorks in Singapore, and Head of Theatre and Performing Arts at Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District Authority.

The Biennale of Sydney welcomed Low’s appointment, highlighting his experience in creating multidisciplinary programmes that bring people together, activate unexpected spaces and transform cities. His appointment will shape an edition grounded in openness, imagination, connection and collective celebration.

The 26th Biennale of Sydney will open to the public on 11 March 2028, following a professional preview from 8–10 March 2028.

Image: Kee Hong Low. Photograph: Daniel Boud See less