Over the last three Biennales there has been a dramatic rise in the number of European artists included and fall in the number of artists from Asia. Asia did have a brief moment in the Venetian sun back in 2009 with 26 percent of the artists but this fell to 13.25 percent at the following Biennale while the European contingent rose from 44.7 percent to 57.83 percent that year.
This year’s exhibition turns out to be 59.12 percent European artists with a further 26.42 percent from North America. It looks like the roaring back of North America (an increase of 9.5 percent over the last Biennale) is what has put the squeeze on everyone else.
The rest of the world’s 14.46 percent is shared by Asia (yes, we’re looking at you China) at 6.92 percent, Latin America (4.39 percent) and Africa (2.52 percent).
And our own Oceania? The whole region, Australia included, has settled on the shoulders of Mr 0.63 percent Simon Denny.
