Thiago de Paula Souza Appointed Curator of Eighth Athens Biennale
1April 24, 2026
Brazilian-born curator and educatorThiago de Paula Souzahas been named curator of the EighthAthens Biennale, set to take place next spring. The São Paulo-based de Paula Souza, who is currently a member of the artistic committee of NESR Art Foundation in Angola, is known for his interest in artistic practices centered around the idea of transmutation through eroticism, gender nonconformity and modes of intimacy.
De Paula Souza was a cocurator of the 2025 Bienal de São Paulo and of the 2024 Panorama da Arte Brasileira at MAM São Paulo. Also in 2024, he cocurated the landmark survey “Some May Work as Symbols: Art Made in Brazil, 1950s–70s” atRaven Row, London. He served on the curatorial team of the 2018Berlin Biennale.
Founded as an independent initiative in 2005, the Athens Biennale at the same time it announced de Paula Souza as curator revealed the establishment of a new management structure, comprising a board of trustees, an advisory board, and a curatorial committee. Biennale organizers are hoping to shift focus from their earlier goal of cementing Athens in the international art world to creating a sustainable, collaborative model.
Billionaire shipbuilders George Economou and Dakis Joannou will chair the board of trustees and oversee the event, while the advisory board will work on strategic development and international outreach. The curatorial committee will be tasked with recommending the event’s curator and shaping its program. The inaugural committee, made up of Massimiliano Gioni, Katerina Gregos, Stefanie Hessler and Gabi Ngcobo, was responsible for choosing de Paula Souza.