The Golden Lion went to Mataaho Collective, formed by Maori artists Bridget Reweti, Erena Baker, Sarah Hudson and Terri Te Tau. "We thank Adriano Pedrosa for making so many queer and indigenous voices speak in this Biennial, it is important to have a platform of expression in Venice" declared the artists, dedicating the award "to our families, who worked hard to get us here". The Nigerian Karimah Ashadu received the Silver Lion at the 60th edition of the Venice Biennale.
"I dedicate this Lion to the peace in the world, which we need." Thus the Turkish artist Nil Yalter, pioneer of the global feminist movement, thanked the curator of the Venice Biennale, Adriano Pedrosa for awarding the Lion to her career. “The Golden Lion recognizes his contribution in the visual arts and on the topic of immigration,” said Pedrosa. The other Lion was delivered to Anna Maria Maiolino, born in Calabria and emigrated to Brazil. "Art is an adventure of the soul and I have always believed in it" commented Maiolino, dedicating the award "to Brazilian art".
First special mention to a trans person
For the first time in the history of the Venice Biennale, a trans and non-white artist received an honorable mention. This is the Argentine artist La Chola Poblete. "I hope to be able to open other doors so that other people like me - she said - can conquer spaces and free themselves from labels". The second mention went to the 87-year-old artist of Palestinian origin Samia Halaby, a pioneer of digital art. The special mention for national participation went to the Republic of Kosovo.