In the run up to the opening of Phyllida Barlow’s exhibition in May, the British Council is celebrating our 80-year involvement with the British Pavilion at the Venice Biennale by launching a new UK at the Venice Biennale website.

With up to 500,000 international visitors each year, the Venice Biennale is one of the longest-running cultural festivals in the world. It is renowned for setting new global trends and launching the international careers of many pioneering artists and architects.

The British Pavilion is a 19th century neo-classical listed building set in the leafy grounds of one of the Venice Biennale's venues, the Giardini. Since 1937 the British Council has organised the Pavilion exhibitions, overseen the selection process of artists and architects, and preserved the historic building itself.

Explore our new website and follow #BritishPavilion on Twitter and Instagram to discover facts, archival images and films of our 80-year history of the UK’s artists and architects who have shown at the Venice Biennale. 

Explore the history of the UK at the Venice Biennale

Find out about Phyllida Barlow's exhibition at the British Pavilion