The Lahore Biennale Foundation has named British-Pakistani curator and writer Nav Haq as the curator for its fourth edition, LB04, which is slated to open in early 2027. This appointment comes at a particularly resonant moment for the region, as the upcoming Biennale will coincide with the 80th anniversary of Pakistan’s independence and the Partition of India. Haq, who currently serves as the Associate Director at M HKA (Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp), is expected to bring a rigorous international perspective to one of South Asia’s most significant cultural platforms.
The curatorial framework for LB04 will center on the vitality of society and culture across borders, seeking to examine the capacity of art to generate new solidarities and dialogues in an increasingly multipolar world. Rather than focusing solely on political divisions, Haq intends to use Lahore’s historic and contemporary position as a global cultural node to explore “cultural internationalism.” The program is set to feature a wide array of new commissions and large-scale installations across various civic and heritage sites, transforming the city into a living gallery that connects Lahori and Punjabi paradigms with broader Eurasian discourses.
Haq’s extensive career makes him a natural fit for a project of this scale. In addition to his leadership at M HKA, he is a respected editor for the journal Afterall and has curated major international projects, including the 9th Göteborg International Biennial of Contemporary Art and recent contributions to the itinerant Kyiv Biennial. His work has long been grounded in the values of coexistence and the exploration of “monoculture,” often challenging institutional norms and investigating how art can build bridges between disparate communities.
In a statement following the announcement, Haq expressed his humility at the invitation, describing Lahore as a metropole with deep historical resonance and a unique contemporary energy. He noted that the Biennale has become a vital pillar for the arts in South Asia and expressed his commitment to building upon its legacy of fostering intellectual life. Qudsia Rahim, Executive Director of the Lahore Biennale Foundation, echoed this sentiment, highlighting that Haq’s international experience and understanding of regional contexts will provide a thoughtful, rigorous direction for the next chapter of the event.
As the Foundation prepares for the 2027 opening, the appointment signals a continued effort to activate Lahore’s architectural heritage and public spaces. Following previous editions that tackled themes of the “Global South” and environmental ecologies, Haq’s focus on cross-border connectivity and shared histories promises to make LB04 a profound reflection on the region’s past and its future role in the global cultural landscape.