Helsinki Biennial 2025

The third edition of Helsinki Biennial is curated by art historian, curator and HAM’s Head of Exhibitions Kati Kivinen, and curator, art historian and researcher Blanca de la Torre.

The biennial spreads across three distinct venues: the unique maritime setting of Vallisaari Island, Esplanade Park in the heart of Helsinki, and HAM Helsinki Art Museum’s Tennis Palace premises.

The theme of the biennial’s third edition, Shelter, takes inspiration from the habitat of Vallisaari Island, which has been preserved from human habitation for decades. The biennial reflects on the fragile relationship between humanity and the natural world. Moving beyond human-centric perspectives, the featured artworks foreground animals, plants, fungi, insects and minerals. The biennial seeks to forge new spaces of protection and inspire positive environmental action.

The artists and collectives of Helsinki Biennial 2025 are Maria Thereza Alves (BR/DE), Band of Weeds (FI), Ana Teresa Barboza (PE), Sissel M Bergh (NO/Sapmi), Sara Bjarland (NL/FI), Saskia Calderón (EC), Edgar Calel (GT), Tania Candiani (MX), Regina de Miguel (ES/DE), Olafur Eliasson (DK/IC), Carola Grahn (Saepmie/SE), Tue Greenfort (DK), Kalle Hamm (FI) & Dzamil Kamanger (IR/FI), Tamara Henderson (CA/AU), Gunzi Holmström (FI), Katie Holten (IE/US), Ingela Ihrman (SE), Geraldine Javier (PH), Aluaiy Kaumakan (TW), Kristiina Koskentola (FI/NL), Yayoi Kusama (JP), Jenni Laiti (FI/SE) & Carl-Johan Utsi (SE), LOCUS / Thale Blix Fastvold & Tanja Thorjussen (NO), nabbteeri (FI), Ernesto Neto (BR), Otobong Nkanga (NG/BE), Giuseppe Penone (IT), Laura Põld (EE/AT), Marjetica Potrč (SI), Kati Roover (EE/FI), Hans Rosenström (FI), Paul Rosero Contreras (EC), Raimo Saarinen (FI), Pia Sirén (FI), Theresa Traore Dahlberg (SE/BF), Nomeda & Gediminas Urbonas (LT/US) and Juan Zamora (ES).

Helsinki Biennial’s main supporter for 2025–2027 is the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation. Other supporters of Helsinki Biennial 2025 include the Tiftö Foundation, Saastamoinen Foundation, John Nurminen Foundation, and the Finnish Cultural Foundation. Helsinki Biennial 2025 is also supported by the Finnish Heritage Agency. Numerous international foundations and funds as well as embassies in Finland have supported the production of artworks. The main partners of Helsinki Biennial 2025 are Metsähallitus and Helsingin Sanomat, with S Group hotels as the accommodation and event partner.