The cloud of uncertainty surrounding the United States’ contentious pavilion exhibition at the upcoming 61st Venice Biennale remains as the event draws near. However, one notable artist approached to represent the US has chosen to voice her reasons for opting out. In an interview with the Financial Times, Barbara Chase-Riboud, a distinguished artist and author, expressed that it was simply “not the moment” for her participation.
Chase-Riboud, an American-French sculptor celebrated for her dual-themed works recently showcased in eight Parisian museums, was among the first artists approached by the newly established American Arts Conservancy (AAC) to represent the US at the 2026 Biennale. According to The New York Times, she, along with esteemed photographer William Eggleston, declined the AAC’s offer, prompting the organization to proceed with Mexico-based American abstract sculptor Alma Allen.
“The prospect of taking part in the 61st Venice Biennale would have been wonderful,” Chase-Riboud conveyed to the Financial Times. “Art is the sole testament to historical events in the world. However, this was not the moment for me as a global citizen.” Chase-Riboud did not address allegations that her and Eggleston’s refusal was linked to avoiding ties with the Trump administration. Hyperallergic has reached out to both artists for their comments.
The selection process for the US pavilion at the 61st Biennale experienced disruption in May when the US State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs took over from the National Endowment for the Arts. This shift followed President Donald Trump’s rollback of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives at the federal level, leading to new grant submission guidelines. These guidelines mandated that proposals must “promote American values,” expecting the chosen artist to highlight “American exceptionalism and innovation.”
Compounding the situation, the Trump administration reduced the preparation period for the exhibition to eight months. The State Department initially approved but later retracted a proposal by artist Robert Lazzarini and curator John Ravenal after negotiations with the University of South Florida’s Contemporary Art Museum fell through. In November, Allen and independent curator Jeffrey Uslip were announced as the US representatives via the AAC commission. Details about the AAC, its funding, and its formation in 2025 remain sparse. The nonprofit was founded by Jenni Parido, previously a pet supply shop owner in Tampa, Florida, in collaboration with Erin (Elmore) Scavino, Director of the State Department’s Art in Embassies and wife of White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino. Hyperallergic is awaiting a response from the AAC.
