Karachi Biennale Trust

Karachi Biennale Trust KBT aims at creating a ‘Public Art Presence’ through a city-wide art event & educational programs.

3rd KARACHI BIENNALE
Oct 31 to Nov 13, 2022

Theme: Collective Imagination: Now and the Next An integration of art and technology

Venues: 9 the cultural and heritage sites across the city

Activities: International art exhibitions, talks by artists, discursive sessions, art workshops in schools, training and professional development for artists and art professionals, guided tours of art exhibits,

health and wellness workshops. A project of the Karachi Biennale Trust

The Karachi Biennale aims to create a platform for public engagement with the arts. A fast growing arts scene has flourished within the white cube spaces of galleries that dot the city. Our goal is to bring visual art into public spaces, to invite dialogue and reflection on critical themes. During the 1st Biennale in 2017, local and international artists explored the city's history as a "Witness" and during the 2nd Biennale in 2019, they explored the theme of "Ecology" and environmental preservation. Pakistan has begun to feature prominently on the global map with many points of creative interest that have arisen with the international achievements of its artists. The 3rd biennale will create opportunities for international and local artists to collectively explore digital tools and mediums to extend the boundaries of art.

10/06/2026

Borindo: a clay-wind instrument from Sindh, with roots in the Indus Valley Civilisation, was slowly fading from practice.

At KB22 (Third Karachi Biennale, 2022), the installation Microtonal by Invisible Flock, Allah Jurio, and Faqir Zulfiqar brought attention to it, creating the largest archive of Borindo sounds.

2025: UNESCO listed the Borindo as Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

April 2026: Sindh government held a 3-day residential workshop in Hyderabad to teach how to make and play it.

The instrument hasn’t been “saved” overnight, but with awareness and community engagement, it continues to be played, taught, and passed on.

Save the Date:
KB27 - Fifth Karachi Biennale 2027
16th – 31st January 2027
Curated by .b.ahmed

[Karachi Biennale 2027, KBT, curatorial practice, contemporary art, biennale, global art, cultural exchange, art ecologies, Global South, Karachi art]

At Karachi Biennale, nurturing young creative talent and creating meaningful opportunities for learning and collaboratio...
09/06/2026

At Karachi Biennale, nurturing young creative talent and creating meaningful opportunities for learning and collaboration remains central to our work. Over the years, the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture (IVS) has been a valued collaborator in supporting these efforts and engaging students within Karachi’s cultural and artistic landscape.

These certificates were presented to IVS students who volunteered during the Karachi Biennale 2027 Curtain Raiser. Their dedication, professionalism, and enthusiasm played an important role in making the event possible, and we are grateful for their contribution.

Save the Date:
KB27 – Fifth Karachi Biennale 2027
Curated by .b.ahmed
16th – 31st January 2027

KarachiBiennaleTrust

KBT congratulates two brilliant artists on their well-deserved Tamgha-e-Imtiaz!🏅 Imran Hunzai – Tamgha-e-Imtiaz🏅 Waqas ...
04/06/2026

KBT congratulates two brilliant artists on their well-deserved Tamgha-e-Imtiaz!

🏅 Imran Hunzai – Tamgha-e-Imtiaz
🏅 Waqas Khan – Tamgha-e-Imtiaz

Imran was also the proud winner of the KB19 Popular Choice Art Prize. Swipe to see his work!

A win for the Pakistani art community is a win for all of us. These honors reflect not just individual excellence, but the growing recognition of our collective creative spirit.

Save the Date:
KB27 - Fifth Karachi Biennale 2027
Curated by .b.ahmed
16th –31st January 2027

[Karachi Biennale 2027, KBT, curatorial practice, contemporary art, biennale, global art, cultural exchange, art ecologies, Global South, Karachi art]

KBT extends heartfelt congratulations to three extraordinary artists on their well-deserved national honors! 🌟 We are th...
03/06/2026

KBT extends heartfelt congratulations to three extraordinary artists on their well-deserved national honors! 🌟

We are thrilled to celebrate:
🏅 Salima Hashmi – awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz
🏅 Hamra Abbas – awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz
🏅 Waseem Ahmed – awarded the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz

These accolades recognize their immense contributions to Pakistani art and culture. Swipe through ➡️ to revisit some of their powerful works shared with us in collaterals and previous biennales.

Save the Date:
KB27 - Fifth Karachi Biennale 2027
Curated by .b.ahmed
16th – 31st January 2027

[Karachi Biennale 2027, KBT, curatorial practice, contemporary art, biennale, global art, cultural exchange, art ecologies, Global South, Karachi art]

🚞 KB27 Curator Noor went on two research trips this summer, to Switzerland, and later to Venice and Amsterdam as part of...
24/05/2026

🚞 KB27 Curator Noor went on two research trips this summer, to Switzerland, and later to Venice and Amsterdam as part of preparations for Karachi Biennale 2027!

During the trip, she met with artists and institutions, sharing plans for KB27. She was accompanied by Martina Huber who will co-curate a section of the Biennale with Noor.

🎞️ Swipe for highlights from the journey.

Research Trips supported by ProHelvetia New Delhi and Karachi Biennale Trust.

Save the Date:
KB27 - Fifth Karachi Biennale 2027
Curated by .b.ahmed
16th – 31st January 2027

[Karachi Biennale 2027, KBT, curatorial practice, contemporary art, biennale, global art, cultural exchange, art ecologies, Global South, Karachi art]

21/05/2026

We started 2026 with major announcements and news regarding the Karachi Biennale 2027 at the curtain raiser for KB27. We are excited to share more news regarding KB27 with you soon.

The Karachi Biennale Trust celebrated its 10 years at the curtain raiser of Karachi Biennale 2027 on 13th February 2026.

Save the Date:
KB27 - Fifth Karachi Biennale 2027
Curated by .b.ahmed
16th –31st January 2027

[Karachi Biennale 2027, KBT, curatorial practice, contemporary art, biennale, global art, cultural exchange, art ecologies, Global South, Karachi art]

River Talk I 🌊🗣️ Projects13th May, OnlineRiver Talk I is in collaboration with Noor Ahmed, Sara Blanco, Eduardo Castillo...
11/05/2026

River Talk I 🌊🗣️ Projects
13th May, Online

River Talk I is in collaboration with Noor Ahmed, Sara Blanco, Eduardo Castillo-Vinuesa, Natasha Ginwala, Martina Huber, Margarida Mendes, and Anushka Rajendran.

We often think of water as belonging to the land it borders; River Landscapes: A New Glossary centers rivers as life systems that have enabled land and communities to flourish.

River Landscapes is a transdisciplinary initiative between Europe and South Asia focused on living with rivers. It questions the extractive ways in which water bodies are framed and governed, proposing a bottom-up approach in which glossary entries are co-created by local communities,
artists, and scientists through field research and workshops, oral history archives, commissioned exhibitions, and publications.

Hosted by River Landscapes, Karachi Biennale 2027, WE ARE AIA | Awareness in Art, and Prameya Art Foundation.
River Landscapes is supported by Pro Helvetia Synergies Fund.

🗓️ May 13, 2026
🕐 1–4 PM CEST / 4–7 PM PKT
📍 Online — free registration: Link in Bio

Save the Date:
KB27 - Fifth Karachi Biennale 2027
Curated by .b.ahmed
16th – 31st January 2027

[Karachi Biennale 2027, KBT, curatorial practice, contemporary art, biennale, global art, cultural exchange, art ecologies, Global South, Karachi art

River Talk I 🌊🗣️13th May, OnlineRiver Talk I is in collaboration with Noor Ahmed, Sara Blanco, Eduardo Castillo-Vinuesa,...
06/05/2026

River Talk I 🌊🗣️
13th May, Online

River Talk I is in collaboration with Noor Ahmed, Sara Blanco, Eduardo Castillo-Vinuesa, Natasha Ginwala, Martina Huber, Margarida Mendes, and Anushka Rajendran.

We often think of water as belonging to the land it borders; River Landscapes: A New Glossary centers rivers as life systems that have enabled land and communities to flourish.

River Landscapes is a transdisciplinary initiative between Europe and South Asia focused on living with rivers. It questions the extractive ways in which water bodies are framed and governed, proposing a bottom-up approach in which glossary entries are co-created by local communities,
artists, and scientists through field research and workshops, oral history archives, commissioned exhibitions, and publications.

Hosted by River Landscapes, Karachi Biennale 2027, WE ARE AIA | Awareness in Art, and Prameya Art Foundation.
River Landscapes is supported by Pro Helvetia Synergies Fund.

🗓️ May 13, 2026
🕐 1–4 PM CEST / 4–7 PM PKT
📍 Online — free registration: Link in Bio

Save the Date:
KB27 - Fifth Karachi Biennale 2027
Curated by .b.ahmed
16th – 31st January 2027

[Karachi Biennale 2027, KBT, curatorial practice, contemporary art, biennale, global art, cultural exchange, art ecologies, Global South, Karachi art]

Join us for River Talk I on May 13, 2026, online! 🌊We often think of water as belonging to the land it borders; River La...
04/05/2026

Join us for River Talk I on May 13, 2026, online! 🌊

We often think of water as belonging to the land it borders; River Landscapes: A New Glossary centers rivers as life systems that have enabled land and communities to flourish.

The project is a transdisciplinary initiative between Europe and South Asia focused on living with rivers. It questions the extractive ways in which water bodies are framed and governed, proposing a bottom-up approach in which glossary entries are co-created by local communities,artists, and scientists through field research and workshops, oral history archives, commissioned exhibitions, and publications.

Featuring:
Noor Ahmed, Sara Blanco, Eduardo Castillo-Vinuesa, Natasha Ginwala, Martina Huber, Margarida Mendes, and Anushka Rajendran.

Hosted by River Landscapes, Karachi Biennale Trust, WE ARE AIA | Awareness in Art, and Prameya Art Foundation.
River Landscapes is supported by Pro Helvetia Synergies Fund.

Click the link in our bio to register!

🗓️ May 13, 2026
🕐 1–4 PM CEST / 4–7 PM PKT
📍 Online — free registration: Link in Bio

Save the Date:
KB27 - Fifth Karachi Biennale 2027
Curated by .b.ahmed
16th –31st January 2027

[Karachi Biennale 2027, KBT, curatorial practice, contemporary art, biennale, global art, cultural exchange, art ecologies, river as life system, river landscapes, river talks, Global South, Karachi art]

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