The Bienal de São Paulo has named the 120 artists who will be included in the upcoming 2025 edition, which will open on September 6 at the Ciccillo Matarazzo Pavilion. Taking the title “Not All Travellers Walk Roads – Of Humanity as Practice,” the exhibition is “founded on active listening to humanity as a practice of constant displacement, encounter, and negotiation,” according to a press release. The Bienal’s curatorial team, led by Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung, were inspired by bird migration patterns for selecting the participating artists. These include the red-tailed hawk across the Americas, the ruff between Central Asia and North Africa, and the Arctic tern’s polar routes. Related Articles 2025 Bienal de São Paulo to Take the Title of 'Not All Travellers Walk Roads - Of Humanity as Practice' Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung Named Chief Curator of 2025 São Paulo Biennial “This methodological process helped us avoid classifications based on nation-states and borders,” Ndikung said in a statement. “By studying birds’ navigation skills, their impulse to migrate across land and water, their survival instincts, their expanded sense of space and time, and their urgency and agency, we were able to engage with artistic practices in different geographic regions while reflecting on the meaning of bringing humanity together in the context of the 36th Bienal de São Paulo.” Among the most high-profile names included in the exhibition are Isa Genzken, Firelei Báez, Wolfgang Tillmans, Forensic Architecture, Frank Bowling, Korakrit Arunanondchai, Laure Prouvost, María Magdalena Campos-Pons, Meriem Bennani, Nari Ward, Olu Oguibe, Oscar Murillo, Otobong Nkanga, Precious Okoyomon, Raven Chacon, Sharon Hayes, and Cynthia Hawkins. There are 19 artists currently based in Brazil, and they include Aislan Pankararu, Maxwell Alexandre, Antonio Társis, Juliana dos Santos, and the collective Vilanismo. The artist list also includes 20 deceased artists, including Bertina Lopes, Ernest Cole, Ernest Mancoba, Heitor dos Prazeres, Huguette Caland, Hamid Zénati, and Mohamed Melehi. Rivers—like the Amazon, the Thames, the Hudson, and the Limpopo—also served as another touchstone in selecting the participants as a way to map their origins and the routes they have taken in their careers. “Water is fundamental to human existence and the basis of life,” Ndikung’s statement continues. “Despite humanity’s efforts to control the flow of water and the migration of birds, all waters are connected, and birds still migrate without passports or visas. Humans could be better if they learned from other beings.” The full artist list follows below. Adama Delphine Fawundub. New York, 1971. Lives in New York. Adjani Okpu-Egbeb. Kumba, 1979. Lives in London. Aislan Pankararub. Petrolândia, 1990. Lives in São Paulo. Akinbode Akinbiyib. Oxford, 1946. Lives in Berlin. Alain Padeaub. Saint-Denis, Réunion, 1956. Lives in Le Tampon, Réunion. Alberto Pittab. Salvador, 1961. Lives in Salvador. Aline Baianab. Salvador, 1985. Lives between Salvador, Rio de Janeiro and Berlin. Amina Agueznayb. Casablanca, 1963. Lives and works in Marrakech and Casablanca. Ana Raylander Mártis dos Anjosb. 1995. Lives in São Paulo. Andrew Robertsb. Tijuana, 1995. Lives in Mexico City. Antonio Társisb. Salvador, 1995. Lives and works between Salvador and London. Behjat Sadrb. Arak, 1924 – d. Corsica, 2009.This participation is supported by Institut français within its IF Incontournable program.Berenice Olmedob. Oaxaca, 1987. Lives in Mexico City. Bertina Lopesb. Maputo, 1924 – d. Rome, 2012. Camille Turnerb. Kingston, 1960. Lives in Los Angeles. Carla Gueyeb. 1997. Lives and works in Paris.This participation is supported by Institut français within its IF Incontournable program. Cevdet Erekb. Istanbul, 1974. Lives and works in Istanbul. Chaïbia Talalb. Chtouka, 1929 – Casablanca, 2004. Christopher Cozierb. Port of Spain, 1959. Lives in Port of Spain. Cici Wub. Beijing, 1989. Lives and works in New York. Cynthia Hawkinsb. New York, 1950. Lives and works in Poughkeepsie. Edival Ramosab. São Gonçalo, 1940 – d. Niterói, 2015. Emeka Ogbohb. Enugu, Nigeria, 1977. Lives in Berlin. Ernest Coleb. Eersterust, 1940 – d. New York City, 1990. Ernest Mancobab. Turffontein, 1904 – d. Clamart, 2002.This participation is supported by Institut français within its IF Incontournable program. Farid Belkahiab. Marrakech, 1934 – d. 2014. Firelei Báezb. Santiago de los Caballeros, 1981. Lives in New York. Forensic ArchitectureFounded in 2010, London. Forugh Farrokhzadb. Tehran, 1934 – d. 1967. Frank Bowlingb. Bartica, 1934. Lives and works in London. Frankétienneb. Ravine-Sèche, April 12, 1936 – d. Delmas, 2025. Gê Vianab. Santa Luzia, 1986. Lives and works in São Luís. Gervane de Paulab. Cuiabá, 1961. Lives and works in Cuiabá. Gōzō Yoshimasub. Tokyo, 1939. Lives and works in Tokyo.This participation is supported by the National Center for Art Research, Japan. Hajra Waheedb. 1980. Lives in Montreal and Jogja. Hamedine Kaneb. Nouakchott, 1983. Lives in Brussels, Paris, and Dakar.This participation is supported by Institut français within its IF Incontournable program. Hamid Zénatib. Constantine, 1944 – d. Munich, 2022. Hao Jingbanb. Taiyuan, 1985. Lives in Beijing. Heitor dos Prazeresb. Rio de Janeiro, 1898 – d. 1966. Helena Uambembeb. Pomfret, 1994. Hessie (Carmen Lydia Đurić)b. Spanish Town, 1933 – d. Pontoise, 2017.This participation is supported by Institut français within its IF Incontournable program. Huguette Calandb. Beirut, 1931–2019.This participation is supported by Institut français within its IF Incontournable program. I Gusti Ayu Kadek Murniasih (Murni)b. Tabanan, 1966 – d. Ubud, Indonesia, 2006. Imran Mirb. Karachi, 1950 – d. 2014 Isa Genzkenb. Bad Oldesloe, 1948. Lives and works in Berlin. Joar Nango with the Girjegumpi crewb. Alta, 1979. Lives and works in Tromso.This participation is supported by the Office for Contemporary Art Norway. Josèfa Ntjamb. Metz, 1992. Lives in Saint-Étienne. Juliana dos Santosb. São Paulo, 1987. Lives in São Paulo. Julianknxxb. Freetown, 1987. Lives in London. Kader Attiab. Dugny, 1970. Lives in Berlin. Kamala Ibrahim Ishagb. Omdurman, 1939. Lives in Sharjah. Kenzi Shiokavab. São Paulo, 1938 – Los Angeles, 2021.This participation is supported by the National Center for Art Research, Japan. Korakrit Arunanondchaib. Bangkok, 1986. Lives in New York and Bangkok. Laila Hidab. Casablanca. Lives in Marrakech.This participation is supported by Institut français within its IF Incontournable program. Laure Prouvostb. Lille, 1978. Lives in Brussels.This participation is supported by Institut français within its IF Incontournable program. Leiko Ikemurab. Tsu, Japão, 1951. Lives in Cologne and Berlin. Leila Alaouib. Paris, 1982 – d. Ouagadougou, 2016.This participation is supported by Institut français within its IF Incontournable program. Leo Asemotab. Benin City. Lives in London. Leonel Vásquezb. Sibaté, 1981. Lives in Bogotá. Lidia Lisbôab. Terra Roxa, 1970. Lives in São Paulo. Lynn Hershman Leesonb. Cleveland, 1941. Lives in San Francisco and New York. Madame Zob. Antananarivo, 1960– d. 2020. Madiha Umarb. Aleppo, 1908 – d. Amman, 2005. Malika Agueznayb. Marrakech, 1938. Lives in Casablanca. Manauara Clandestinab. Manaus. Lives in São Paulo. Mansour Ciss Kanakassyb. Dakar, 1957. Lives in Dakar and Berlin. Mao Ishikawab. Ógimi, 1953. Lives in Tomigusuku.This participation is supported by the National Center for Art Research, Japan. Márcia Falcãob. Rio de Janeiro, 1985. Lives in Rio de Janeiro. Maria Auxiliadorab. Campo Belo, 1935 – d. São Paulo, 1974. María Magdalena Campos-Ponsb. Matanzas, 1959. Lives in Nashville. Marlene Almeidab. Bananeiras, 1942. Lives in João Pessoa. Maxwell Alexandreb. Rio de Janeiro, 1990. Lives in Rio de Janeiro. Meriem BennaniLives in New York. Metta PracruttiFounded in 2025, Mumbai. Michele Ciaccioferab. Nuoro, 1969. Lives in Paris.This participation is supported by Institut français within its IF Incontournable program. Ming Smithb. Detroit. Lives in New York. Minia Biabianyb. Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe, 1988. Lives in Saint-Claude.This participation is supported by Institut français within its IF Incontournable program. Moffat Takadiwab. Hurungwe, 1983. Lives in Harare. Mohamed Melehib. Asilah, 1936 – d. Paris, 2020. Moisés Patríciob. São Paulo, 1984. Lives in São Paulo. Myriam Omar Awadib. Paris, 1983. Lives in Le Tampon, Réunion.This participation is supported by Institut français within its IF Incontournable program. Myrlande Constantb. Port-au-Prince, 1968. Lives in Port-au-Prince. Nádia Taquaryb. Salvador, 1967. Lives in Salvador. Nari Ward Nguyễn Trinh Thib. Hanoi, 1973. Lives in Hanoi. Noor Abedb. Jerusalem, 1988. Lives between Ramallah and Amsterdam. Nzante Speeb. Mbem, 1953 – d. Stockton, 2005. Olivier Marboeufb. Antony, 1971. Lives in Rennes and Paris.This participation is supported by Institut français within its IF Incontournable program. Olu Oguibe Oscar Murillob. La Paila, 1986. Lives in London. Otobong Nkangab. Kano, 1974. Lives and works in Antwerp. Pélagie Gbaguidib. Dakar, 1965. Lives and works in Brussels.This participation is supported by Institut français within its IF Incontournable program. Pol Taburetb. Paris, 1997. Lives and works in Paris.This participation is supported by Institut français within its IF Incontournable program. Precious Okoyomonb. London, 1993. Lives in New York. Raukura Tureib. Aotearoa, 1987. Lives in Aotearoa. Raven Chacon with Iggor Cavalera & Laima Leytonb. Fort Defiance, Navajo Nation, 1977. Lives in New York.b. Belo Horizonte, 1970. Lives in London.b. São Paulo, 1977. Lives in London. Rebeca Carapiáb. Salvador, 1988. Richianny Ratovob. Antananarivo, Madagascar, 1995. Lives in Antananarivo. Ruth Igeb. Nigeria, 1992. Lives in Auckland. Sadikou Oukpedjob. Kétao, 1975. Lives and works in Abidjan. Sallisa Rosab. Goiânia, 1986. Lives and works in Rio de Janeiro. Sara Sejin Chang (Sara van der Heide)b. Busan, 1977. Lives in Berlin. Sérgio Soarezb. Salvador, 1968. Lives in Salvador. Sertão NegroFounded in 2021, Goiânia. Sharon Hayesb. Baltimore, 1970. Lives in Philadelphia. Shuvinai Ashoonab. Kinngait, 1961. Lives and works in Kinngait. Simnikiwe Buhlungub. Johannesburg, 1995. Lives in Johannesburg and Amsterdam. Song Dongb. Beijing, 1966. Lives and works in Beijing. Suchitra Mattaib. Georgetown, 1973. Lives and works in Los Angeles. Tanka Fontab. Buea, 1966. Lives in Berlin. Thania Petersenb. Cape Town, 1980. Lives and works in Cape Town. Theo Eshetub. London. Lives between Berlin, and Rome. Théodore Dioufb. Djigod, 1949. Lives in Zurich. Theresah Ankomahb. Accra. Lives and works in Accra. Trương Công Tùngb. Daklak, 1986. Lives in Ho Chi Minh City.This participation is supported by Tanoto. Tuấn Andrew Nguyễnb. Saigon, 1976. Lives in Ho Chi Minh City and Irvine. VilanismoFounded in 2021, São Paulo. Werewere Likingb. Ngombas Bondé, 1950. Lives in Abidjan. Wolfgang Tillmansb. Remscheid, 1968. Lives in Berlin and London. Zózimo Bulbulb. Rio de Janeiro, 1937 – d. 2013. Alexandre Paulikevitchb. Beirute, 1982.Boxe AutônomoFounded in 2015, São Paulo. Dorothée Munyanezab. Kigali, 1982. Marcelo Evelinb. Teresina, 1962. MEXAFounded in 2015, São Paulo.
