Muscat – A pavilion of the sultanate will debut at the 59th Venice Biennale, set to take place from April 23 to November 27.

‘Oman will put up an exhibition featuring artworks created by three generations of Omani artists,’ ONA said on Sunday.

This participation aims to achieve partnership and integration among local and international institutions in cultural fields and highlight the sultanate’s role in the world’s cultural map.

The works of Omani artists engaged in modern and contemporary visual art will be presented in the exhibition.

The multimedia exhibition will feature the works of five artists – painter Anwar Sonya, often described as the ‘godfather’ of Oman’s contemporary art scene; Hassan Meer, founder of the experimental Omani artists’ group The Circle; photographer and video installation artist Budoor al Riyami; Radhika Khimji, whose feminist work features sculpture and textiles; and the late Raiya al Rawahi, sound installation artist who died in 2017 from cancer aged just 30.

The exhibition will be curated by Aisha Stoby, an art historian who focuses on modern art from Oman and the Middle East.

To coincide with the exhibition, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth will organise a series of cultural programmes, focusing on mentorship, internships and a lecture series to boost youth engagement in the sultanate’s creative sector and kick-start its contemporary art scene.

The Venice Biennale is an international art exhibition where participating countries present national pavilions displaying a selection of its best and most famous contemporary artists.