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The Helsinki Biennial 2025 has announced its roster of artists, featuring 37 international artists and collectives set to showcase their works across various locations in the city.

Curated by Blanca de la Torre and Kati Kivinen, the third edition of the Helsinki Biennial, titled ‘Shelter: Below and Beyond, Becoming and Belonging’, will also emphasize non-human protagonists.

Notable participants include acclaimed artists such as Olafur Eliasson, known for his innovative explorations of nature and perception, as well as Maria Thereza Alves and Yayoi Kusama.

Highlights of the event will include new commissions like Pia Sirén’s ‘Under Cover’ on Vallisaari Island, an installation using recycled materials to create a fictional landscape, and Sara Bjarland’s ‘Stranding’, a sculpture inspired by inflatable swimming toys, addressing the issue of plastic waste. Ernesto Neto’s ‘Vallisaari Bird’ aims to encourage visitors to view the world through the eyes of a bird.

On the mainland, at Esplanade Park, Kalle Hamm and Dzamil Kamanger’s ‘Bug Rugs’ sculptures will showcase a blend of cultural and environmental storytelling inspired by Finnish and Kurdish rug designs. Geraldine Javier will present ‘Earth, Water, Air, Fire, Void’, a community-driven installation featuring tree-protecting talismans and recycled materials developed through workshops with local schoolchildren and residents.

The curators, emphasizing their concern about the current ecological emergency, have expressed their pride in showcasing artists from around the world whose work thoughtfully addresses these crucial themes.

The 2025 biennial will prioritize artists from the broader Nordic region, Latin America, and Asia, with a special commitment to including Indigenous perspectives. Carola Grahn, one of the Sámi artists participating, will explore human alienation from nature through her textile works.

The biennial will also spotlight non-human actors like plants, animals, and minerals, aiming to foster a more sustainable relationship with the environment and all its inhabitants.

Discover the full list of participating artists here.