The Islamic Arts Biennale is set to return to Jeddah next year, exploring themes of faith in an evolving world. Kicking off on Jan. 25 at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport, the event will run for four months until May 25, curated by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation. This venue choice reflects Jeddah’s role as a historic intersection, welcoming pilgrims from around the world each year for Hajj and Umrah.
This edition’s theme, And All That Is In Between, is inspired by a recurring verse in the Quran, which describes the all-encompassing beauty of God’s creations. The verse translates to: “And God created the heavens and the Earth and all that is in between.”
The upcoming biennale will combine historical artifacts and contemporary works. Muhannad Shono, curator of contemporary art, emphasizes how the event captures the dynamic nature of the Islamic faith, showcasing its diverse expressions across cultures. Art historian Julian Raby, senior curator Amin Jaffer, and historian Abdul Rahman Azzam serve as the biennale’s artistic directors.
Five exhibition halls and outdoor installations will display over 500 pieces, each reflecting divine influence. Among them are more than 20 specially commissioned works by artists such as Saudi Arabia’s Fatma Abdulhadi, Libya’s Nour Jaouda, and Taiwan’s Charwei Tsai.
The Seven Sections:
The biennale is organized into seven thematic sections, each offering a unique perspective.
AlBidaya (The Beginning) – This section explores faith’s physical expressions, pairing artifacts from Makkah and Madinah with newly commissioned works. Shono notes that these works evoke the expansiveness of the theme through the “evocation of the heart.”
AlMadar (The Orbit) – Here, pieces from international institutions showcase humanity’s use of numerals to perceive divine order. From ancient astrolabes to mathematical designs in carpets, Azzam highlights the unifying role of numbers in understanding and embellishing Islamic culture.
AlMuqtani (Homage) – Honoring prominent collectors, this section features objects from the collections of Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Than and Rifaat Sheikh El Ard. These collections offer invaluable insights into Islamic art, with Al Than’s featuring jeweled objects and Sheikh El Ard’s focusing on metalworks and chivalric artifacts.
AlMathala (The Canopy) – In the outdoor spaces, commissioned pieces reinterpret Islamic garden design, inviting visitors to reflect. Shono describes the garden as “both deconstructed and reimagined,” encouraging meditation and collective dialogue.
AlMukarramah (Makkah) and AlMunawwarah (Madinah) – These pavilions evoke the spiritual ambiance of Islam’s two holiest cities, bringing a sense of sacredness to the exhibition.
The Hajj Terminal – Under the terminal’s iconic canopy, the biennale will reveal the winner of the AlMusalla Prize. This annual award celebrates innovative Muslim architecture, with this year’s focus on designing a modular, sustainable prayer space.
