The Diriyah Biennale Foundation is gearing up for its second Islamic Arts Biennale, the world’s sole biennial dedicated to the rich artistic heritage of Islamic civilization, set to take place from Jan. 25 to May 25, 2025, at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.
Following the success of the inaugural biennale, “Awwal Bait,” which drew over 600,000 visitors, the 2025 edition promises to delve deeper into its themes by presenting a blend of historical artifacts and contemporary art, including bespoke installations.
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The 2025 biennale will be helmed by a distinguished team of directors: Amin Jaffer, Julian Raby, Abdulrahman Azzam, and Muhannad Shono. Jaffer, renowned for his work on the intersection of European and Asian cultures, will once again lead the Al-Thani Collection. Raby, a former lecturer at the University of Oxford and a member of the first biennale’s curatorial team, brings his expertise in Islamic art and architecture. Azzam, a noted author and historian, previously served as a senior adviser for the Al-Madar exhibition and forum at the first biennale. Meanwhile, Shono, a celebrated Saudi artist known for exploring spirituality and imagination, will curate the contemporary art section.
The expanded curatorial team features Masa Al-Kutoubi, Rizwan Ahmad, Heather Ecker, Marika Sardar, Joanna Chevalier, Amina Diab, Sarah Al-Abdali, Bilal Badat, Faye Behbehani, and Wen Wen. Occupying more than 110,000 square meters, with 12,000 square meters devoted to exhibition space, the biennale invites visitors to immerse themselves in the objects, rituals, ideas, and aesthetics that define Islamic arts in all their diversity.
In its upcoming edition, the Islamic Arts Biennale (IAB) plans to highlight architecture as a vital expression of Islamic culture. To achieve this, the IAB has introduced the new AlMusalla Prize, challenging architects to design a sustainable and adaptable prayer space, or musalla. This competition resonates with the IAB’s spiritual connection to its venue, the Western Hajj Terminal, a significant site for millions of Muslims undertaking the sacred Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages to Makkah.
Key features of the IAB include the return of AlMadar (meaning ‘the orbit’), a themed exhibition inviting contributions from institutions with notable Islamic art collections. Additionally, there will be two special pavilions dedicated to Makkah and Madinah, focusing on the rich histories of these two holy cities.
