The Diriyah Biennale Foundation’s second Islamic Arts Biennale is set to take place from January 25 to May 25, 2025, at the Western Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. This event stands as the first and only biennial dedicated exclusively to the arts of Islamic civilization.
The inaugural biennale, titled “Awwal Bait,” drew more than 600,000 visitors, marking a significant cultural milestone. The upcoming biennale in 2025 will build on this success by presenting historical artefacts alongside contemporary art, including site-specific installations.
The Diriyah Biennale directors include Amin Jaffer, Julian Raby, Abdulrahman Azzam, and Muhannad Shono. Jaffer, renowned for his work on the confluence of European and Asian cultures, will continue his directorship of the Al-Thani Collection. Raby, a distinguished scholar and former lecturer in Islamic art and architecture at the University of Oxford, returns after his role in the first biennale’s curatorial team. Azzam, an esteemed author and historian, previously served as senior adviser to the Al-Madar exhibition and forum during the initial biennale. Saudi artist Shono, whose artistic endeavours explore spirituality and the role of imagination in shaping reality, will curate the contemporary art segment.
The expanded curatorial team for the 2025 event includes Masa Al-Kutoubi, Rizwan Ahmad, Heather Ecker, Marika Sardar, Joanna Chevalier, Amina Diab, Sarah Al-Abdali, Bilal Badat, Faye Behbehani, and Wen Wen. This diverse group brings a wealth of expertise and perspectives to the biennale, ensuring a rich and varied exploration of Islamic arts.
Spanning over 110,000 square meters with 12,000 square meters dedicated to exhibition space, the biennale will guide visitors through a comprehensive journey of Islamic arts, encompassing objects, rituals, ideas, and aesthetics in their myriad forms.
The Western Hajj Terminal, repurposed as a cultural venue by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture, is a site of profound significance for Muslims globally. Each year, millions of pilgrims pass through this terminal on their way to Makkah for Hajj and Umrah, making it a fitting location for an event celebrating Islamic art and heritage.
