Overview
The year 2010 was marked by a series of prominent international exhibitions, biennials, and awards that reflected contemporary artistic trends and the continued global circulation of visual culture. Key events included the 55th Venice Biennale, the Whitney Biennial, and the awarding of the Turner Prize to Susan Philipsz. The year also witnessed the death of influential sculptor and installation artist Louise Bourgeois.
Major Exhibitions and Biennials
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55th Venice Biennale (May 28 – November 21, 2010) – Titled ILLUMInations, the biennale was curated by Robert Storr. The exhibition featured national pavilions and a central exhibition that explored themes of light, perception, and contemporary sociopolitical issues. The Golden Lion for best national participation was awarded to the United States, while the Golden Lion for best artist was presented to German artist Olafur Eliasson (subject to verification).
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Whitney Biennial 2010 (February 25 – May 30, 2010) – Curated by Francesco Bonami, this edition highlighted emerging and established American artists, emphasizing experimental media and socially engaged practices.
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Turner Prize 2010 (December 6, 2010) – The Turner Prize was awarded to sound artist Susan Philipsz for her installation Lowlands (2008), a site‑specific a cappella rendition of a traditional folk song performed beneath a bridge in Glasgow. The other nominees were Martin Boyce, Richard Wright, and the collaborative group The Otolith Group.
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Other notable exhibitions – Museums and galleries worldwide presented retrospectives and thematic shows, including a major retrospective of photographer Nan Goldin at the Museum of Modern Art, New York, and the exhibition Kusama: Infinity Mirrors at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington, D.C.
Awards and Honors
- Turner Prize – Susan Philipsz (winner).
- Praemium Imperiale (Visual Arts) – The 2010 laureate was Ruth Asawa (subject to verification).
- Venice Biennale Golden Lions – National participation (United States); Best artist (Olafur Eliasson, subject to verification).
Notable Deaths
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Louise Bourgeois (April 25 – May 31, 1911 – 2010) – French‑American sculptor and installation artist, renowned for works such as Maman (1999). Bourgeois died on May 31, 2010, in New York City.
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Other artists who died in 2010 – Insufficient Encyclopedic Information.
Summary
2010 in art was characterized by high‑profile biennials that emphasized interdisciplinary practices, the recognition of sound and installation art through awards such as the Turner Prize, and the passing of a major figure of 20th‑century sculpture, Louise Bourgeois. The year's events contributed to ongoing dialogues about medium, space, and cultural identity within the global art community.