Shabbir Hussain Mustafa Appointed Artistic Director of Aichi Triennale 2028

The Aichi Triennale Organizing Committee has announced the appointment of Shabbir Hussain Mustafa, Chief Curator of Singapore Art Museum, as Artistic Director of Aichi Triennale 2028.

Mustafa was selected for his extensive international experience and distinguished track record as a curator and museum leader. According to the committee, his work across different cultural and institutional contexts will bring a fresh international perspective to the triennale, enriching its artistic vision and global relevance.

The committee also highlighted Mustafa’s commitment to engaging with local communities and place-based practices, as well as his extensive global network across the visual arts. His appointment is expected to strengthen Aichi’s international profile while further communicating the unique character and appeal of the region.

His substantial experience overseeing museum curatorial programmes also provides confidence in his ability to direct the triennale with sound judgement and flexibility.

About Shabbir Hussain Mustafa

Born in Sri Lanka in 1984, Shabbir Hussain Mustafa is based in Singapore, where he serves as Chief Curator of Singapore Art Museum. He holds a B.Soc.Sci. (Honours) in Political Science and an M.A. in South Asian Studies from the National University of Singapore, where he was also a University Scholar.

Mustafa began his curatorial career at the National University of Singapore Museum from 2007 to 2013. He subsequently served as Senior Curator at National Gallery Singapore from 2013 to 2023 and as Senior Curator and Head of Exhibitions at Guggenheim Abu Dhabi from 2023 to 2025.

He has been Chief Curator at Singapore Art Museum since 2025, overseeing research, exhibitions, acquisitions and public programmes. He also leads the Singapore Biennale office and the Singapore Pavilion at the Venice Biennale.

Mustafa curated the Singapore Pavilion at the 56th Venice Biennale in 2015 and co-curated the Dhaka Art Summit in 2018. He is also co-curating the forthcoming quadrennial Rubaiya Qatar in 2026.

He served on the Programmes Board of Haus der Kulturen der Welt in Berlin from 2017 to 2022 and was a DAAD Artists-in-Berlin Fellow in 2017. Since 2025, he has served on the board of CIMAM, the International Committee for Museums and Collections of Modern Art.

Portrait of Shabbir Hussain Mustafa. Photo by Leila Shirazi.