The first Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale in Saudi Arabia will run from December 11 to March 11, 2022, and will feature the work of the country’s artists. There are almost 40 pieces of art on show, including works by 27 Saudi artists as well as international artists. The festival features everything from paintings to installations. There will also be a number of performances.
Diriyah, the host city, was just named Arab Capital of Culture for 2030.
The biennale’s goal is to bring Saudi contemporary art to a global audience. According to the Saudi Press Agency, “the Ministry of Culture and the Diriyah Biennale Foundation were eager to organize a biennale that satisfies worldwide standards.”An international team of art curators has put together a number of must-see pieces for the biennale. The event aims to increase appreciation for a wide range of arts in order to benefit from the resulting cultural shift.
Nadia Kaabi-Linke, who won the prestigious Ithra Art Prize — a prized honor given upon up-and-coming Saudi and Saudi-based artists – will also be exhibiting her work at the event. It also includes an installation by Manal AlDowayan, a Saudi modern artist who was the first Arab artist to participate in the Lady Dior Art Project in 2021.
Biennial Foundation is a non-profit arts organization that advocates for the international arts community and provides thought leadership. The biennial purpose is to inspire and educate a wide range of audiences by increasing the study, recognition, and appreciation of contemporary art exhibitions. The biennale’s second edition, which will take place in Saudi Arabia in 2022, will focus on Islamic art.