Artmarket Partners with the 18th Lyon Contemporary Art Biennale in 2026

Curatorial Vision by Catherine Nichols

The 18th Lyon Biennale is entrusted to Catherine Nichols, a curator and art historian based in Berlin, who was recently appointed as the artistic director of Manifesta starting October 2026. Under the theme 'Transitioning from One Dream to Another', she is developing a project focused on the concept of poetic economy, inspired by Robert Filliou, where economy is considered as a sensitive infrastructure of relationships, flows, narratives, and both tangible and intangible values. This reflection is rooted in Lyon's history as a city of trade, circulation, silk, and industry, while also taking on a global dimension.

Over 70 Artists from 30 Nationalities, Including Australia and New Zealand

This edition brings together more than 70 international artists from over thirty nationalities, with a pronounced focus on scenes that are less visible in Europe, particularly from Australia and New Zealand. The artistic mapping includes major figures, established artists, and emerging voices. The exhibitions are spread across multiple venues in Lyon: macLYON, the Grandes Locos, the Museum of Fabrics and Decorative Arts, the Traboules of the slopes of Croix-Rousse, the Garden of the Museum of Fine Arts, the IAC (Institute of Contemporary Art / Frac Rhône-Alpes), the Museum of Confluences, the Bullukian Foundation, the LPA Saint-Antoine Parking, and the Part-Dieu Metro Station B. Artmarket is particularly supporting the artist Selma Selman, who uses performance, painting, photography, and video to explore the value of labor, objects, and bodies.