Venice Biennale 2022's 'The Milk of Dreams' - in pictures

  • The sculpture 'Anonymous' is part of the Sovereignty exhibition at the Venice Art Biennale, featuring works by US artist Simone Leigh at the US pavilion. Leigh was awarded the Golden Lion for the best presentation. EPA
    The sculpture 'Anonymous' is part of the Sovereignty exhibition at the Venice Art Biennale, featuring works by US artist Simone Leigh at the US pavilion. Leigh was awarded the Golden Lion for the best presentation. EPA
  • Simone Leigh's sculpture of an eyeless African-American woman, surrounded by Cuban artist Belkis Ayon's prints of a secret Afro-Cuban society in the main exhibition The Milk of Dreams. Photo: Roberto Marossi
    Simone Leigh's sculpture of an eyeless African-American woman, surrounded by Cuban artist Belkis Ayon's prints of a secret Afro-Cuban society in the main exhibition The Milk of Dreams. Photo: Roberto Marossi
  • Francis Alys’ 'The Name of the Game' at the Belgian pavilion. Photo: Roberto Ruiz
    Francis Alys’ 'The Name of the Game' at the Belgian pavilion. Photo: Roberto Ruiz
  • Textiles, and their evocations of craft and slow, painstaking labour, were an important theme, as was spirituality. Both came together in Myrlande Constant's Voodoo flags. Photo: Roberto Marossi
    Textiles, and their evocations of craft and slow, painstaking labour, were an important theme, as was spirituality. Both came together in Myrlande Constant's Voodoo flags. Photo: Roberto Marossi
  • Brazilian artist Solange Pessoa paints creatures on the verge of transformation in 'Sonhiferas, I, 2020', on view in the Arsenale. Photo: Roberto Marossi
    Brazilian artist Solange Pessoa paints creatures on the verge of transformation in 'Sonhiferas, I, 2020', on view in the Arsenale. Photo: Roberto Marossi
  • Visitors take in Pessoa's work. EPA
    Visitors take in Pessoa's work. EPA
  • The Milk of Dreams had several 'capsule' shows. One of the best explored the work of female surrealists, or women whose work can be considered in line with Surrealism, such as the Algerian artist Baya Mahieddine. Photo: Marco Cappelletti
    The Milk of Dreams had several 'capsule' shows. One of the best explored the work of female surrealists, or women whose work can be considered in line with Surrealism, such as the Algerian artist Baya Mahieddine. Photo: Marco Cappelletti
  • Belkis Ayon's prints document the secret Afro-Cuban society known as Abakua. Photo: Roberto Marossi
    Belkis Ayon's prints document the secret Afro-Cuban society known as Abakua. Photo: Roberto Marossi
  • Cecilia Alemani, the Italian curator of the 59th Venice Art Biennale. AFP
    Cecilia Alemani, the Italian curator of the 59th Venice Art Biennale. AFP
  • The Milk of Dreams is notable for its wide geographical representation. In the Arsenale, the late US artist Ficre Ghebreyesus shows memories of his youth in Asmara, Eritrea. Photo: Roberto Marossi
    The Milk of Dreams is notable for its wide geographical representation. In the Arsenale, the late US artist Ficre Ghebreyesus shows memories of his youth in Asmara, Eritrea. Photo: Roberto Marossi
  • In the section focused on organic forms, this installation by Ruth Asawa is called 'A Leaf a Gourd a Shell a Net a Bag a Sling a Sack a Bottle a Pot a Box a Container'. Photo: Roberto Marossi
    In the section focused on organic forms, this installation by Ruth Asawa is called 'A Leaf a Gourd a Shell a Net a Bag a Sling a Sack a Bottle a Pot a Box a Container'. Photo: Roberto Marossi
  • Visitors at Asawa's installation. AFP
    Visitors at Asawa's installation. AFP
  • Delcy Morelos' 'Earthly Paradise, 2022', fills the cavernous Arsenale with packed, redolent earth. Photo: Roberto Marossi
    Delcy Morelos' 'Earthly Paradise, 2022', fills the cavernous Arsenale with packed, redolent earth. Photo: Roberto Marossi
  • Monira Al Qadiri's drill bits, 'Orbital, 2022', resemble a trio of sci-fi temples. Photo: Roberto Marossi
    Monira Al Qadiri's drill bits, 'Orbital, 2022', resemble a trio of sci-fi temples. Photo: Roberto Marossi
  • A video and collage by Lynn Hershman Leeson, who connects digital culture to new modes of identity. Cyborgs and digital art are a major sub-theme of the Venice Art Biennale. Photo: Roberto Marossi
    A video and collage by Lynn Hershman Leeson, who connects digital culture to new modes of identity. Cyborgs and digital art are a major sub-theme of the Venice Art Biennale. Photo: Roberto Marossi
  • Veteran New York artist Barbara Kruger has been given a whole room to fill with her cutting proclamations on politics and social responsibilities. Photo: Roberto Marossi
    Veteran New York artist Barbara Kruger has been given a whole room to fill with her cutting proclamations on politics and social responsibilities. Photo: Roberto Marossi
  • Portia Zvavahera creates oil-based stencils on linen, in invocations of animals and subjects. Photo: Roberto Marossi
    Portia Zvavahera creates oil-based stencils on linen, in invocations of animals and subjects. Photo: Roberto Marossi
  • Lebanese artist Ali Cherri's 'Titans, 2022', resemble gods made from the earth itself. Photo: Roberto Marossi
    Lebanese artist Ali Cherri's 'Titans, 2022', resemble gods made from the earth itself. Photo: Roberto Marossi
  • Visitors look at the 'Untitled' installation by Lebanese artist Ali Cherri. EPA
    Visitors look at the 'Untitled' installation by Lebanese artist Ali Cherri. EPA