Installation View

36th Bienal de São Paulo – Not All Travelers Walk Roads – Of Humanity as Practice

The 36th edition of the Bienal de São Paulo is led by chief curator Professor Dr. Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung, together with a conceptual team of co-curators Alya Sebti, Anna Roberta Goetz and Thiago de Paula Souza, as well as co-curator at large Keyna Eleison.

Precious Okoyomon, Sun of Consciousness. God Blow Thru Me – Love Break Me, 2025, 36th Bienal de São Paulo/Fundação Bienal de São Paulo. Photo: Cristian Baena

Installation view of the 36th Bienal de São Paulo/Fundação Bienal de São Paulo. Photo: Cristian Baena

Juliana Dos Santos, Sopro, aragem, viração (2025). Flower petals of Clitoria Ternatea and acrylic on cotton canvas. The piece consists of 7 panels, each measuring 4m x 3,20m. Commissioned by the São Paulo Biennial Foundation for the 36th Bienal. Photo: Cristian Baena

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Wed 17 Sep, 2025

This edition of the Bienal invites us to rethink humanity as a living practice, guided by the metaphor of the estuary — a place of encounters and coexistence. Structured around three axes, it draws inspiration from Conceição Evaristo to reclaim time, silence and reconnection with nature; from René Depestre to reflect on the other and on interconnectivity; as well as from the manguebit movement to address coloniality, power and cultural fusions. The exhibition calls for deep listening and negotiation between worlds.

36th Bienal de São Paulo – Not All Travellers Walk Roads – Of Humanity as Practice is on view until January 11, 2026.

Pavilhão Ciccillo Matarazzo
Parque Ibirapuera, Portão 3
Av. Pedro Álvares Cabral, s/n
São Paulo/SP, Brasil
Visiting Hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, 10 am–7 pm; Thursdays and Saturdays, 10 am–9 pm. Free admission.

36.bienal.org.br

Installation view of the 36th Bienal de São Paulo/Fundação Bienal de São Paulo. Photo: Cristian Baena

Tanka Fonta, Philosophies of Being, Perception, and Expressivity of Being, 2025, audio and acrylic on mural. Commissioned by the São Paulo Biennial Foundation for the 36th Bienal. This participation is supported by: Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen - IFA, Santa Marcelina Cultura and Cultura Artística. Photo: Cristian Baena

Gê Viana, Dan's Harvest, 2025. Installation composed of sound wall, photographs, hand collages, and canvases. Courtesy Galeria Lima. Commissioned by Fundação Bienal de São Paulo for the 36th Bienal. Photo: Cristian Baena

Manauara Clandestina, Transclandestine 3020. Installation composed of textile pieces, photographs, and video 20'. Courtesy: Mitre Galeria. Commissioned by Fundação Bienal de São Paulo for the 36th Bienal. This participation is supported by]: Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen - IFA. Photo: Cristian Baena

Sertão Negro, Sertões, 2025. Installation composed of wattle and daub, soil, wood, stones, objects from the Kalunga territory, and works by various artists using mixed media. Commissioned by Fundação Bienal de São Paulo for the 36th Bienal. Private collection. Courtesy Almeida & Dale and Cerrado Galeria. Photo: Cristian Baena

Sallisa Rosa, Many Names, 2025. Installation composed of spiral-shaped walls made of tree branches. Commissioned by Fundação Bienal de São Paulo for the 36th Bienal. Photo: Cristian Baena

Rebeca Carapia, How to Create Aerial Roots, steel, carbon, and copper. Courtesy Almeida & Dale. Commissioned by Fundação Bienal de São Paulo for the 36th Bienal. Photo: Cristian Baena

Marlene Almeida, Living Soil, 2025. Installation composed of strips of raw cotton fabric and matte tempera. Museum of Brazilian Soils, 1970-2025. Courtesy: Almeida & Dale. Commissioned by Fundação Bienal de São Paulo for the 36th Bienal. Photo: Cristian Baena