Galerie Claude Lemand

16 February 2020

ZINEB SEDIRA WILL REPRESENT FRANCE AT THE VENICE BIENNALE 2021.

Complete statement from Zineb Sedira:

I am a woman artist working between London, Paris and Algiers. I see my practice as autobiographical, poetic and universal; a place for preservation and transmission of personal and collective memories and histories, focussing on French, Algerian and British narratives and experiences, a bridge that reconciles memories, beyond cultural stereotypes.

I was born in the suburbs of Paris from Algerian immigrant parents. I know what it means to be ignored, silenced or made invisible. I grew up in the shadow of the Algerian memory, its struggle for independence.

I felt honoured at receiving the news to represent France at the Venice biennale 2021. I recognised it as a major shift for French contemporary art and our shared history: an Arab-Berber-Algerian-French woman based in London representing France! I am also the fourth woman selected for the French pavilion since its creation in 1912.

What I was not prepared for was the level of discrimination and intimidation, in response to my nomination. I have been the target of defamatory accusations which aim not only at opposing my nomination, but also to cut me from my affiliations - artistic and intellectual friendships and solidarities.

I was legally advised to make a statement for AFP (Agence France Presse) to respond to the false allegation. AFP did not publish the full statement. That edited version created further misleading information by reducing my beliefs to a sheer condemnation of BDS. Some passages were completely removed from my statement, for example: “I state my full support to the aspirations of the Palestinian people for self-determination and the protection of their existence and their rights”, as well as stating my firm opposition to any form of injustice and neo-colonialism.

By sharing a partial statement in the press, my views, ethical position and beliefs have been misrepresented. As an Algerian-French woman, I have been given an opportunity, a voice to continue being critical of all forms of hatred and racism. I have decided to not renounce representing France at the next Venice Biennale, despite this attempt to silence me and infringe on my freedom of expression.

I am, hereby, reaffirming my beliefs for a more inclusive, interrelated and decolonised art world and art histories.
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Zineb Sedira © Photo Sueraya Shaheen. Courtesy Galerie Kamel Mennour.