Nikhil Chopra and HH Art Spaces Announced as Curators for Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2025-26

The Kochi Biennale Foundation has officially appointed Nikhil Chopra and HH Art Spaces as curators for the sixth edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale. The event will run from December 12, 2025, to March 31, 2026.

About Nikhil Chopra and HH Art Spaces

Based in Goa, Nikhil Chopra is a multidisciplinary artist known for combining live art, drawing, photography, sculpture, and installations. His work has been showcased in prominent international exhibitions, including Documenta 14, 12th Sharjah Biennale, 12th Havana Biennale, 2nd Kochi-Muziris Biennale and 53rd Venice Biennale.

In 2014, Chopra co-founded HH Art Spaces with artist Romain Loustau. This platform supports artists and fosters creativity through exhibitions, residencies, workshops, and talks. Their work bridges contemporary and traditional art practices, emphasizing research and collaboration.

The Legacy of Kochi-Muziris Biennale

Launched in 2012, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale is India’s first biennial dedicated to international contemporary art. It reflects India’s evolving political, social, and artistic landscapes.

The biennale emerged from an ambitious initiative by the Government of Kerala’s Department of Cultural Affairs, which approached artists Riyas Komu and Bose Krishnamachari to create a global art platform for India.

This project faced immense challenges: India had no precedent for a biennial of this scale. The necessary infrastructure—exhibition spaces, funding, and institutional support—was nonexistent. Despite these hurdles, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale has become a landmark event in the global art calendar, representing a unique fusion of India’s cultural heritage and contemporary art practices.

Photo: The Space Between, site-specific installation by Brook Andrew at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2018. Courtesy of Kochi-Muziris Biennale