Mark Francis represents the Republic of San Marino at the Venice Biennale 2026

Sea of Sound is the project presenting a new body of paintings by Northern Irish artist Mark Francis at the Republic of San Marino Pavilion during the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia. Curated by Luca Tommasi and produced by FR Istituto d’Arte Contemporanea S.p.a., the installation investigates the interplay between visual art, sound and scientific research.

The pavilion is arranged across two rooms: an entry space screens the film Listening Field to introduce the artist’s imagery, while a second room displays large-scale, previously unseen paintings that deepen his synesthetic investigation of low frequencies and ambient noise.

Practical information

• Dates: from 9 May to 22 November 2026
• Venue: Tana Art Space, Fondamenta de la Tana n. 2111, 30122 Venice, Italy
• Curator: Luca Tommasi
• Organiser: FR Istituto d’Arte Contemporanea S.p.a.
• Admission: free
• Opening hours:
  • Summer schedule (9 May - 27 September): 11:00–19:00
  • Autumn schedule (29 September - 22 November): 10:00–18:00
• Closures: closed on Mondays except 11 May, 1 June, 7 September and 16 November

Born in Newtownards in 1962 and based in London, Mark Francis has exhibited widely in the UK and internationally; his works are held in major collections including Tate, IMMA Ireland and Arts Council England. The San Marino Pavilion proposes a multisensory encounter that visualises sound, resonating with the Biennale Arte 2026 theme.