Jitish Kallat: New president of Kochi Muziris Biennale

Renowned artist Jitish Kallat is the new President of Kochi Biennale

A couple of months after the art world was shaken by the resignation of Bose Krishnamachari, the founder-president of the Kochi Biennale Foundation, the foundation has announced acclaimed artist Jitish Kallat as his successor.

Kallat, who currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the foundation, is expected to lead the selection committee responsible for appointing the curator of the next edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, scheduled to take place in December 2027. Notably, Kallat previously served as curator and artistic director of the biennale’s second edition in 2014.

Known for exploring the intersections of science, historical memory, existential inquiry, and planetary consciousness, Kallat’s artistic practice spans painting, sculpture, photography, installation, and public projects. 

He has exhibited widely at major international institutions and his work has also been presented at prominent institutions such as Tate Modern in London, Martin-Gropius-Bau in Berlin, the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo, the Serpentine Galleries in London and Pirelli Hangar Bicocca in Milan, and the Kunstmuseum Bern. He has also participated in several major international biennales, including Venice, Gwangju, Havana, Curitiba, and Kyiv. 

Commenting on his appointment Bose Krishnamachari said, “Now the new president Jitish Kallat will lead it and I will always be happy to contribute in my personal capacity.”