Send Lara Nickel to the Malta Biennale

Santa Fe-based painter Lara Nickel has been invited to present her painting installation, 12 Horses — Homage to Jannis Kounellis, at the upcoming Malta Biennale 2026.

The Malta Biennale 2026, held under the theme CLEAN CLEAR CUT, is organized by Heritage Malta and will take place from 11th March to 29th May 2026, with acclaimed international curator Rosa Martínez as Artistic Director. Martínez personally selected Nickel’s work for this important opportunity to participate in what will be a smart and beautiful exhibition of contemporary art. CLEAN CLEAR CUT promises to be a landmark event, hosted across eleven cultural and historical sites throughout the island country—many of which are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

“I am incredibly honored by the opportunity to participate in the Malta Biennale 2026. The significance of presenting my 12 Horses in such a prestigious environment is a dream come true,” says Nickel. “After nearly a decade of working on this project, this opportunity feels like affirmation of my primary artistic goal as an installation-based painter: experimenting with how a painted illusion can also function as an object in real space and time.

The first step towards Nickel realizing her art world dreams is a fundraising event at Collect Santa Fe, set to take place on Saturday, December 13, 3-7 pm (343 W Manhattan Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501). Nickel will give a talk during the evening and will also make available limited-edition items for sale. This event coincides with the First-Ever Guadalupe Street Winter Walk, December 13, 3 to 7 pm, as Collect is located right off the street across from the Railyard.