The Liverpool Biennial, the UK’s largest contemporary art festival and the first biennial in the country, has announced today that it tapped local curator Marie-Anne McQuay to curate the next edition of the biennial. McQuay is currently director of projects at Arts&Heritage. Beforehand, she was head of programme at Bluecoat, Liverpool until June 2022, where she curated exhibitions and commissions by artists including Adham Faramawy, Jade Montserrat, Larissa Sansour and Rosa-Johan Uddoh. She was the guest international curator for Wales in Venice 2019 with artist Sean Edwards and Tŷ Pawb, Wrexham. Previously she was Curator at Spike Island, Bristol (2007–2013).
McQuay said in a statement that she feels ‘honoured to be curating the 13th edition of Liverpool Biennial with and for the city where I live. I am so looking forward to reflecting on civic life, researching international exchanges, and collaborating with the wider team on Liverpool Biennial 2025.’ Dr Samantha Lackey, director of Liverpool Biennial, said: ‘We are thrilled to be welcoming Marie-Anne to the team for Liverpool Biennial 2025. Her longstanding relationship with the city of Liverpool will bring insight and intention to every part of the next festival, re-thinking the city’s changing relationships to the rest of the world.’
The 12th edition of Liverpool Biennial, uMoya: The Sacred Return of Lost Things, took place from 10 June–17 September 2023 and was curated by Khanyisile Mbongwa. The 13th edition curated by McQuay will be on view 7 June–14 September 2025.
