Alma Allen Selected for U.S. Pavilion at 2026 Venice Biennale
Alma Allen is set to lead the U.S. Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale, which opens next May, though the announcement remains unofficial due to the ongoing government shutdown. The Utah-born, Mexico-based artist has been appointed alongside Jeffrey Uslip, who will serve as the pavilion's curator.
The news emerged from The Baer Faxt, a well-known art-world newsletter, signaling a quietly surprising choice for the national pavilion's representation. Unlike previous artists such as Jeffrey Gibson, Simone Leigh, Mark Bradford, and Ed Ruscha—who are established figures with significant institutional backing—Allen is less of a household name.
Allen works from Tepoztlán, a tranquil town near Mexico City, creating large-scale sculptures from stone, wood, and bronze. His method blends traditional hand-carving techniques with custom-built robotics, resulting in unique forms.
"His works feel less like monuments and more like fossils from an alternate evolution — abstract, sometimes animate, always tactile."
The prospect of Allen's sculptures filling Venice's neo-Palladian pavilion presents an intriguing and fresh departure from typical national pavilion displays.
Background on Previous U.S. Pavilion Artists
- Jeffrey Gibson
- Simone Leigh
- Mark Bradford
- Ed Ruscha
These artists occupy the high end of the art market, contrasting with Allen’s more understated yet innovative practice.
Curatorial Collaboration
Jeffrey Uslip will join Allen as the pavilion’s curator, helping shape the exhibition and its presentation.
"Bureaucracy before art, as always." — highlighting delays due to the government shutdown.
This announcement must wait until government operations resume, delaying official confirmation.
Artist's Practice and Location
Operating from Tepoztlán, Allen integrates craftsmanship and technology, creating abstract sculptures that evoke a sense of evolved natural forms.
His work continues to gain recognition for its tactile and otherworldly qualities.
Author's summary: Alma Allen’s unexpected selection for the 2026 U.S. Pavilion signals a bold artistic direction, blending handcraft and robotics to redefine monumental sculpture in Venice.