Vapaa ’26 Graduation Exhibition
The Free Art School’s satellite programme as part of the Republic of Nauru Pavilion at the Venice Biennale
The central theme of the participation is ecological sustainability and the tradition of painting in relation to the environmental impact of contemporary art.
Khaled Ramadan, curator of the Nauru Pavilion, will visit the school in April.
The Venice Biennale is a major international contemporary art exhibition held every two years in Venice, Italy. This year, Nauru—the world’s smallest island state—will make its debut in the 61st edition of the Biennale.
The Free Art School has been invited to take part in the Nauru Pavilion programme. The school’s contribution will take the form of satellite events, including the graduation exhibition Vapaa ’26, an accompanying panel discussion on painting, and a film documentary of the project to be completed for the Biennale.
In addition, the incoming fourth-year students will have the opportunity to participate in a student workshop in Venice in autumn 2026, organised as part of Erasmus+ mobility.
Laura Liliuksen teos Nukkuva vuori (2024, muste ja vesiväri paperille, 70 cm x 90 cm) on esillä 24.4.2026 avautuvassa Vapaa '26 -lopputyönäyttelyssä. Valokuva Virppi Sysilehto.