The Karachi Biennale Trust has announced that its 5th edition, Karachi Biennale 2027 (KB27), will take place in January 2027 under the curatorial leadership of Noor Ahmed. As Pakistan’s largest contemporary art event, the Biennale aims to connect art with the city and its people through exhibitions, educational initiatives, and public art projects that encourage accessibility and creative expression.
A New Curatorial Vision
Noor Ahmed, known for her expertise in cultural heritage, contemporary art, and digital archiving, brings an inclusive and interdisciplinary approach to KB27. Her vision is expected to create a Biennale that speaks to both local and international audiences, pushing artistic boundaries and sparking dialogue about the evolving role of contemporary art in Pakistan.
About Noor Ahmed
Noor has worked extensively with Pakistani and international art institutions. She co-curated River Landscapes, a cross-continental project linking South Asia and Europe through water-centered narratives, and led Pakistan’s largest museum digitization initiative for the Lahore and Taxila Museums in collaboration with the World Bank and the Punjab government. She was also part of the award-winning curatorial team for the Pakistan Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, which earned a Silver Award among 192 participating countries.
From 2022 to 2025, Noor directed The Citizens Archive of Pakistan (CAP), South Asia’s most expansive digital archive. Her earlier role as Assistant Curator for KB19 in 2019 involved research, artist coordination, and exhibition development. Her writings on contemporary art and culture have appeared in both national and international publications.
Carrying Forward a Legacy
KB27 continues the Karachi Biennale’s legacy of innovation and critical engagement. Previous editions were curated by Amin Gulgee (2017), Muhammad Zeeshan (2019), Faisal Anwar (2022), and Waheeda Baloch (2024), each contributing a distinctive vision to Pakistan’s premier contemporary art platform.
