List of Artists Featured in the 2026 Whitney Biennial

The Whitney Museum of American Art has revealed the lineup for its Whitney Biennial 2026, an event renowned for showcasing a diverse cross-section of contemporary American art. This 82nd edition includes 56 artists, encompassing individual creators, duos, and collectives selected by curators Marcela Guerrero, Drew Sawyer, Beatriz Cifuentes, and Carina Martinez.

Highlighting the global dimension of the exhibition, 21 artists were born outside the United States, with origins spanning Palestine, Japan, Iraq, and more, reflecting the biennial’s embrace of international perspectives within American art. This year’s themes are rooted in relational dynamics, exploring interspecies and familial kinships, geopolitical connections, technological relationships, shared mythologies, and infrastructural networks.

Amidst the backdrop of the U.S. political climate, particularly the Trump administration’s stance on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), the biennial presents a timely platform for artists to engage with pressing socio-political issues.

Prominent artists featured include performance artist Andrea Fraser, known for her critical approach to institutional critique; Palestinian artist Samia Halaby, whose work underscores cultural narratives; and Okinawan photographer Mao Ishikawa, exploring indigenous and occupied identities.

The biennial occurs after a challenging year for the Whitney, marked by controversy over its cancellation of a performance on Palestinian mourning and subsequent suspension of its Independent Study Program, provoking debates on cultural censorship.

As the biennial approaches its March 8 start, the art community anticipates how participating artists will navigate these complex narratives, using their work to interrogate and reflect on current global and domestic issues. For further details on each participant’s background and work, the Whitney’s official website provides comprehensive artist profiles.