The fourth edition of Homo Faber Biennial 2026 returns to Venice from September 1st to 30th, 2026, bringing the historic Fondazione Giorgio Cini on San Giorgio Maggiore to life through a celebration of craftsmanship, material expertise, and human creativity. Organised by the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship, the international showcase gathers hundreds of master artisans from around the world, presenting the evolving language of contemporary making.
Titled An Island of Light, the biennial explores the relationship between light, materials, and the human hand. More than 500 artisans from over 70 countries will present around 700 handcrafted works across 15 exhibition spaces integrated into the Palladian architecture and gardens of Fondazione Giorgio Cini.
‘An Island of Light’: Es Devlin’s vision for a new artisan exhibition
British artist and designer Es Devlin leads the artistic direction of Homo Faber 2026, creating a scenography where light becomes a narrative thread connecting craftsmanship, architecture, and storytelling. Inspired by the Venetian lagoon, Devlin and her studio present each artisan as a unique “island” within a wider landscape of global creativity, using reflections, water, mirrors, and movement to frame the works.
The exhibition reveals the worlds behind the objects, highlighting the makers, tools, and techniques of ceramicists, glassmakers, woodworkers, textile artists, metalworkers, and stone carvers. Photography, film, poetry, and music accompany the displays, while recreated studios offer insight into both traditional skills and contemporary approaches.
Artisan exhibition where makers become the centre of the experience
Homo Faber 2026 places artisans at the forefront, creating encounters between visitors and the people behind each creation. Throughout the biennial, many makers will demonstrate their practices through workshops and live presentations.
Highlights include An Atelier Alive, a working studio showcasing techniques in porcelain, leather, paper, and textiles, and A Rooted Ascent, which explores the relationship between natural materials and craftsmanship through woodworking and weaving.
Visitors can also participate in hands-on experiences such as A Place for Workshops, featuring Japanese traditions including kintsugi and hanko, and an origami project led by artist Giuseppe Romeo. The exhibition will be guided by 90 Young Ambassadors from 23 countries, offering fresh perspectives on the stories and skills behind the works.
Venice cultural events extend beyond San Giorgio Maggiore
The biennial expands across Venice through Homo Faber in Città, opening around 130 local artisan workshops to the public throughout September. The programme highlights the city’s living craft heritage, alongside exhibitions at venues including Casa Sanlorenzo.
Among the featured projects are Ca’ Riflesso by Artemest, exploring Italian craftsmanship through the atmosphere of a collector’s home, and Fiat Lux by De Mains De Maîtres Luxembourg, presenting works by Luxembourg-based craft artists. Further events include Murano Illumina il Mondo, an outdoor display of large-scale chandeliers created by international artists and Murano glassmakers, alongside showcases dedicated to mosaic, glass, photography, and Italian artisan traditions.
Homo Faber Biennial 2026 takes place from September 1st to 30th, 2026, at Fondazione Giorgio Cini, San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice.
