Helsinki Biennial 2025 brings together 37 artists and collectives across three distinct locations: Vallisaari Island, Esplanade Park, and HAM Helsinki Art Museum. Now in its third edition, the biennial explores the theme Shelter: Below and Beyond, Becoming and Belonging. The event will take place from 8 June to 21 September 2025.
Welcoming all, the biennial opens to the public on 8 June, transforming Helsinki into a city-wide, summer-long celebration of art. Known for its vibrant cultural scene and innovative spirit, Helsinki provides a unique setting for the event. The biennial unfolds in three locations that highlight the city’s environmental diversity: Vallisaari Island, a protected natural haven; Esplanade Park, a lively green space in the city center; and HAM Helsinki Art Museum, a hub for contemporary art.
“Helsinki’s ambitious vision is to become an art capital recognised worldwide for its exceptional art and cultural offerings. That vision finds exemplary expression in this year’s Helsinki Biennial,” says Helsinki Mayor Juhana Vartiainen.
With a strong focus on new commissions and site-specific works, the biennial draws inspiration from Vallisaari Island’s unique ecosystem, untouched by human habitation for decades. The theme of Shelter encourages a shift away from human-centered perspectives, inviting artists to foreground non-human actors—such as plants, animals, fungi, and minerals—as central figures in their works. By embracing alternative viewpoints, the biennial reimagines humanity’s relationship with nature, aiming to inspire climate optimism and positive environmental action.
37 Artists with a Focus on Site-Specific Commissions
Each edition of Helsinki Biennial includes major site-specific commissions by leading international artists. This year, it features 37 artists and collectives representing 30 cultures, with a particular focus on the Nordic countries, Latin America, and Asia. As a lasting legacy, select artworks from each edition remain on permanent display throughout the city.
The participating artists and collectives for Helsinki Biennial 2025 are:
Maria Thereza Alves (BR/DE), Band of Weeds (FI), Ana Teresa Barboza (PE), Sissel M Bergh (Sápmi/NO), Sara Bjarland (FI/NL), Saskia Calderón (EC), Edgar Calel (GT), Tania Candiani (MX), Regina de Miguel (ES/DE), Olafur Eliasson (DK/IS), Carola Grahn (Saepmie/SE), Tue Greenfort (DK), Kalle Hamm (FI) & Dzamil Kamanger (IR/FI), Tamara Henderson (CA/AU), Gunzi Holmström (FI), Katie Holten (IE/US), Ingela Ihrman (SE), Geraldine Javier (PH), Aluaiy Kaumakan (TW), Kristiina Koskentola (FI/NL), Yayoi Kusama (JP), Jenni Laiti (FI/SE) & Carl-Johan Utsi (SE), LOCUS / Thale Blix Fastvold & Tanja Thorjussen (NO), Nabbteeri (FI), Ernesto Neto (BR), Otobong Nkanga (NG/BE), Giuseppe Penone (IT), Laura Põld (EE/AT), Marjetica Potrč (SI), Kati Roover (EE/FI), Hans Rosenström (FI), Paul Rosero Contreras (EC), Raimo Saarinen (FI), Pia Sirén (FI), Theresa Traore Dahlberg (SE/BF), Nomeda & Gediminas Urbonas (LT/US), and Juan Zamora (ES).
“Our goal for the Helsinki Biennial 2025 is to shift our thinking away from human-centered views and towards understanding our relationship with nature. We want to inspire new ways of coexisting with all lifeforms and encourage positive environmental action. The biennial invites reflection on shelter as a caring space where all lifeforms can thrive. We want to create new ways of coexisting in a world that needs more understanding and empathy and to inspire positive environmental action,” say curators Kati Kivinen and Blanca de la Torre.
Key Dates for Helsinki Biennial 2025
- 5 June – Media Day
- 6–8 June – Helsinki Biennial Preview for professionals
- 8 June – Helsinki Biennial 2025 opens to the public
- 21 September – Helsinki Biennial 2025 closes
