Alvaro Barrington takes a road trip to the Venice Biennale

UK artist Alvaro Barrington’s vibrant haulage truck (Labor Day Parade ’91, 2026) decorated with scenes linked to his background, and laden with art historical references, is wowing crowds in the Giardini (next to the notorious Austrian pavilion if you need the exact location). Barrington explained that he had driven the lorry directly from London on an epic journey across Europe to the lagoon city for the 61st Venice Biennale. On the preview day, the colourful vehicle was admired by the artist Julie Mehretu and Dia Art Foundation director Jessica Morgan, who both waxed lyrical about the jaunty juggernaut. Fear not—the front tyres have been punctured so that the lorry cannot move, says Barrington, preventing it from careering into the Austrian exhibition and crushing the nude performers.