Viola holds a doctorate in Methods and Methodologies of Archaeological and Art Historical Research from the University of Salerno and has curated more than 100 exhibitions worldwide, including the Italy Pavilion at the 59th Venice Biennale (2022) and the Estonia Pavilion at the 56th Venice Biennale (2015). He is currently the Artistic Director of MAMBO – the Museum of Modern Art of Bogotá in Colombia.

Commenting on his appointment, Viola declared: "I feel honored and grateful to have been selected as the curator of the 24th Paiz Art Biennial in Guatemala, which occupies a significant place in the Mesoamerican and Latin American artistic landscapes with resonance in the broader international context. In an increasingly interconnected yet fragmented world, art is a powerful medium for reflection, challenge, and inspiration. It can offer different perspectives on reality, presenting alternative views to the contradictions of our contemporary era. Art can promote inclusion, creating bridges between distant universes to reconnect and reconcile different perspectives, cultures, and times. With these ideas in mind, I envision a polyphonic, inclusive, and participatory project. It will resonate with the complex network of languages, religions, cultures, and historical perspectives that shape our globalized society, while engaging with Guatemala's rich and multicultural artistic ecosystem, which I have already had the privilege of experiencing throughout my career. I am sincerely grateful to the selection committee for entrusting me with this role and believing in my abilities. I commit to approaching this prestigious nomination with the utmost ethical awareness and responsibility, while maintaining the esteemed legacy of the Biennial and contributing to its future. I am eager to embark on this journey and look forward to the vibrant and enriching experiences that this Biennial will surely bring."

Eugenio Viola Born in Naples in 1975, Eugenio Viola, Ph.D., is the current Artistic Director of MAMBO – Museum of Modern Art of Bogotá in Colombia, where he has curated the first institutional exhibition in Colombia of artists such as Voluspa Jarpa, Alexander Apóstol, Ana Gallardo, Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa and Dor Guez As Senior Curator of the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA) in Perth, Australia (2017-2019), he curated the first institutional exhibitions in Australia of Kimsooja, Amalia Pica and Cassils.

At the MADRE Museum in Naples, Italy (2009-2016), Viola held various curatorial positions, curating retrospective exhibitions dedicated to Vettor Pisani and Giulia Piscitelli; the first major institutional exhibitions in Italy of Boris Mikhailov and Francis Alÿs and a complex site-specific project by Daniel Buren. Viola has also collaborated with numerous international institutions, curating exhibitions for artists such as Su Huy-Yu (MOCA – Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei 2023); Giulia Cenci (Centro Cultural Recoleta Buenos Aires 2023); Regina José Galindo (PAC-Milan 2014 / Frankfurter Kunstverein Frankfurt 2016); Karol Radziszewski (CoCA – Center for Contemporary Art Znaki Czasu Torun 2014); Mark Raidpere (EKKM – Museum of Contemporary Art Tallinn 2013); Marina Abramović (PAC – Milan 2012); Francesco Jodice (MSU – Museum of Contemporary Art Zagreb 2011) ORLAN (MAMC – Museum of modern and contemporary art Saint Etienne 2007) among others. He has edited more than 60 catalogues and books and is a member of IKT – International Association of Curators of Contemporary Art and CIMAM – International Committee for Museums and Collections of Modern Art.

Sonia Hurtarte, Executive Director of Fundación Paiz, comments: "We are honored to welcome Eugenio Viola as the curator of the XXIV Paiz Art Biennial. His vast experience and visionary approach resonate deeply with the Paiz Foundation's mission of using art as a catalyst for social change and education, reinforcing our commitment to these ideals. By blending the global and the local, Viola's experience enriches the international reach of the Biennial and advances our mission of promoting contemporary art in Guatemala, also providing a platform that fosters international visibility for Guatemalan artists. His curation is destined to explore critical themes, presenting artists from diverse backgrounds and generations, ensuring a Biennial that is not only relevant, but also transformative for the artistic community and the general public. It is a cultural exchange that will nurture national talent, foster broader dialogue and strengthen Guatemala's local artistic ecosystem, enhancing appreciation and participation in contemporary art. We are excited to present the XXIV Paiz Art Biennial, as we navigate these transformative times for art in Latin America, Eugenio Viola emerges as the ideal curator to cultivate and amplify this enthusiasm within the global artistic community."