KARACHI: The fifth Karachi Biennale, scheduled for January 16 to 31, 2027, has been cancelled due to regional instability and logistical constraints, the Karachi Biennale Trust (KBT) announced on Friday.
In an Instagram post, the trust attributed the decision to “the war conditions prevailing in the region and the resultant logistical constraints and incertitude”.
The organisers thanked artists, sponsors, partners, collaborators and supporters for their continued backing. They also expressed hope of working together to promote visual arts in the future.
However, the trust did not announce plans for future exhibitions or indicate when the Biennale might return.
Curator Calls Cancellation ‘Devastating’
The 2027 event was expected to mark a milestone for the trust, celebrating 10 years since the first Karachi Biennale in 2017.
Titled Kal (Yesterday/Tomorrow), the exhibition was designed to explore Karachi’s changing identity and its future. Former Citizens Archive of Pakistan general manager Noor Ahmed was serving as its curator.
Speaking to Images, Ahmed described the cancellation as “devastating” for the artists, curators and partners who had invested considerable time and effort in preparing for the event.
She said she remained committed to supporting the people she had worked with over the previous 13 months, including more than 100 artists, two international co-curators and one Pakistani co-curator.
According to Ahmed, many participants had contacted her seeking clarity about the cancellation.
She also described the decision as “unilateral”, saying the trust had made it without consulting her. She expressed disappointment over how the organisation had handled communication and commitments with artists and partners.
“I am very concerned that this decision by the Karachi Biennale Trust is detrimental for Pakistan’s international art ecosystem,” she said.
International Art Event Had Held Preview
A curtain raiser for the 2027 Biennale took place in February. Hosted by artist Amin Gulgee, the 77-minute preview featured works by 72 artists from 18 countries.
At the event, Ahmed said the Biennale would feature exhibitions across public spaces, ports and parks. The programme aimed to celebrate diasporic exchanges, indigenous knowledge, and the languages and skills associated with the sea.
The cancellation makes the Karachi Biennale the latest cultural event affected by regional instability.
The ARY Entertainment Awards, scheduled for May in Dubai, were postponed indefinitely due to security concerns at the venue.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Idol finale was postponed in April amid regional tensions and calls for national austerity measures. It eventually took place in August.
