Alberta Whittle has been commissioned to develop new work which will be put forward to represent Scotland as a collateral event at the 59th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia. The project is commissioned by the Scotland + Venice Partnership and is a multi-partner project initiated by Glasgow International and supported by Glasgow Life.

This will be the tenth presentation commissioned by the Scotland + Venice partnership continuing to build Scotland’s strength and reputation as an important international voice in visual art and architecture.

Recognised as one of the world’s most prestigious festivals of contemporary art, the 2022 edition of La Biennale di Venezia will take place from 23 April – 27 November 2022.

Working in film, sculpture, print, performance and installation, Whittle’s work is often made in response to current events and draws on her research into the African diaspora and the decolonisation of Western histories.  Major themes include colonialism, xenophobia, climate change and the global pandemic.

Over 2021, Whittle will be sharing new work as part of Art Night London, British Art Show 9, Liverpool Biennial,  business as usual: hostile environment  at Glasgow Sculpture Studios for Glasgow International and  Right of Admission  at the University of Johannesburg.

Whittle’s work has been acquired for the UK National Collections, The Scottish National Gallery Collections, Glasgow Museums Collections and The Contemporary Art Research Collection at Edinburgh College of Art amongst other private collections.

The selection of the artist was made following an open, competitive process. Members of the selection panel were:

Amanda Catto, Head of Visual Arts at Creative Scotland and Chair of the Scotland + Venice partnership, Simon Groom, (Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art), Norah Campbell (British Council), Fatos Üstek (Liverpool Biennial), Zoé Whitley, (Chisenhale Gallery).