Second Islamic Arts Biennale concludes in Jeddah - Visual Art - Arts & Culture

Al-Ahram Weekly

01-06-2025

The second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale, held at the Western Pilgrims Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah (25 January - 25 May 2025), has officially closed four months after its inauguration.
According to a statement issued by the cultural foundation, this second edition, under the theme And All That Is Between Them, solidified the biennale's status as a leading global platform for showcasing and promoting masterpieces of Islamic art.
This year's edition showcased over 500 historic and contemporary artworks across five main galleries and multiple outdoor spaces, spanning over 100,000 square metres.
More than 30 cultural and artistic institutions from 21 countries participated, and over 30 contemporary artists presented 29 new works specially commissioned by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation.
The list of participating artists included many prominent names, such as Nour Jaouda, Charwei Tsai, and Fatma Abdulhadi. This demonstrates the foundation's commitment to highlighting Saudi artists on the international stage and attracting artists from around the world to the Kingdom so that the local and global public can discover the diverse perspectives of contemporary art.
A highlight of the 2025 edition was the first-ever display of the Kiswa (the Kaaba's covering) outside Mecca, exhibited alongside a rare collection of Islamic objects from Mecca and Medina.
The award-winning installation Al-Musalla, designed by a consortium led by East Architecture Studio, was central to the exhibition's outdoor space.
Constructed using local palm frond remains, the work drew inspiration from traditional textile weaving.
Large sections of the award-winning Rooted Transient project were also featured in a namesake exhibition alongside the 19th International Architecture Exhibition - Venice Biennale. The exhibition showcased the architectural piece's adaptability — its ability to be disassembled, reassembled, and reused endlessly.
At the closing forum, Deputy Minister of Culture and Vice Chairman of the Board of the Jeddah Biennale Foundation Rakan Al-Touq announced the launch of several initiatives aimed at building on the biennale's strong connections with a broad network of cultural institutions through the Orbit exhibition — one of the biennale's most important sections.
These initiatives will include joint research projects, developing a digital platform to archive displayed objects and artworks, and organizing conferences in Saudi Arabia and around the world in collaboration with partner institutions.
The goal is to build a knowledge network that strengthens research efforts and fosters the exchange of expertise in various fields of Islamic art.
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