
The miniature world of the Neapolitan crib
Marcello Aversa | Italy

HOMO FABER 2026 E-CATALOGUE
The fourth edition of Homo Faber Biennial invites you to explore the fundamental relationship between light, materials and the human hand. Embark on a sensory journey through 15 immersive installations in the historic grounds and buildings of Fondazione Giorgio Cini and discover hundreds of handcrafted objects by artisans from around the world. Artistic Director Es Devlin’s unique staging illuminates the creativity and talent of the artisans, while live demonstrations, participatory workshops, culinary experiences and bespoke tours bring you even closer to craft. Inspired by the archipelago of the Venetian lagoon, Es Devlin has created a narrative that unites the work of hundreds of individual craft artists from across the world – each an island of talent and skill within the wider waters of craftsmanship – on San Giorgio Maggiore. By manipulating light through the use of water, mirrors, movement and more, Devlin creates a journey that illuminates the world of craftsmanship, from the craft artists themselves to their workshops, tools, materials and the exquisite objects they create. Together, the exhibition spaces explore the relationship between light, materials, talent and creativity, revealing how master artisans can use this life-giving energy as a tool to create wonder and joy.

The miniature world of the Neapolitan crib
Marcello Aversa | Italy

Bringing an 18th-century painting back to light
Open Care | Italy

Bringing intricate inlays back to light
Open Care | Italy

Revealing an 18th-century painting through restoration
Open Care | Italy

Carving wood into lace
Julien Feller | USA

Sculpting lightness, feather by feather
Julien Vermeulen | France

Wood marquetry at watch scale
Anna Le Corno | France

Pietra dura: where stone becomes a second skin
Studio Lél | Pakistan

Painting stories on porcelain
Jayne King | USA

The art of reclaimed leather portraiture
Abongile Sidzumo | South Africa

Sculpting glass at miniature scale
Simone Crestani | Italy

Three crafts, one enduring mastery of furniture making
Dominique & Éric Sanson | France

The sustainable beauty of pressed flowers
Keith Kralik | USA

Sculpting stories in cameo
Fabio Ottaviano | Italy

The mastery of Barniz de Pasto
Gilberto & Óscar Granja | Colombia

Crafting miniature worlds from paper
Hannah Levesque | France

The sculptural language of leather
Elaine Chan-Perryman | Netherlands

From paper to produce: hyperreal fruits in the making
Abdelnasser Ibrahim | United Kingdom

The making of a concert guitar
Joël Laplane | France

Miniature paper cutting: reimagining Swiss tradition
Marc Schweizer | Switzerland

Micromosaic: painting with glass
Roberto Grieco | Italy

Carving an insect from ebony
Etienne Rayssac | France

Bringing straw to life
Valérie Colas des Francs | France

Contemporary papermaking from reclaimed materials
Cartiera Manualis | Italy