Bringing together historical treasures and contemporary commissions, the Biennale offers a global perspective on Islamic arts and culture.
Islamic Arts Biennale 2025. Courtesy of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation. Photography: Marco Cappelletti
The second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale, And All That Is In Between, has opened in Jeddah, exploring how faith is experienced, expressed, and celebrated through feeling, thinking, and making. Featuring over 30 artists and institutions from across the world, the Biennale showcases contemporary artworks alongside treasured historical objects from Makkah and Madinah, offering a rare glimpse into Islamic artistic heritage.
A Meeting of Past and Present
Organized by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, the event is set at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport—an emotionally resonant site for millions of Muslim pilgrims. Led by Artistic Directors Julian Raby, Amin Jaffer, and Abdul Rahman Azzam, alongside Curator of Contemporary Art Muhannad Shono, the Biennale provides a global platform for dialogue and discovery. It will remain open until May 25, 2025.
The exhibition takes its title from a Quranic verse: And God created the Heavens and the Earth and all that is in between, emphasizing the majesty of divine creation. Spanning five exhibition halls and outdoor spaces, it presents more than 500 objects and contemporary artworks, inviting audiences to reflect on the interconnectedness of faith, history, and artistic expression.
Expanding the Reach of Islamic Arts
This year’s Biennale has expanded significantly, featuring a broader range of works and institutions, reaffirming its role as a leading platform for Islamic arts. Objects have been loaned from prestigious collections, including the Louvre, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha. Notably, the entire Kiswah—the cloth that covered the Holy Kaaba last year—is displayed outside of Makkah for the first time.
A diverse group of artists from Saudi Arabia and around the world are showcasing their works, with 29 new commissions, many of which engage in dialogue with historical artifacts. The Biennale fosters creative exchange, offering Saudi artists a global stage while introducing international artists to local audiences.
A Journey Through the Biennale
The exhibition unfolds through seven thematic sections:
- AlBidayah (“The Beginning”): Exploring the sacred through historical artifacts from Makkah and Madinah.
- AlMadar (“The Orbit”): Highlighting the role of science, mathematics, and celestial navigation in Islamic cultures.
- AlMuqtani (“Homage”): Showcasing Islamic art from private collections, including jeweled objects and metalwork.
- AlMidhallah (“The Canopy”): Presenting 20 new outdoor commissions inspired by the Islamic garden concept.
- AlMukarramah and AlMunawwarah: Permanent pavilions dedicated to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
- AlMusalla Prize: Showcasing the winning design of an international architecture competition for modular prayer spaces.
The scenography, designed by the renowned architecture firm OMA, enhances the immersive experience across 100,000 square meters of exhibition space.
Public Programs and Cultural Exchange
The Biennale offers a series of public programs, including talks, workshops, and symposia. Biennale After School and Biennale After Work provide hands-on learning experiences, while Turuq: The Many Ways of Food explores culinary traditions across the Arab world. Weekly events such as Culinary Thursdays, Cinema Nights, and Sketching Saturdays further engage audiences in creative dialogue.
A Vision for the Future
Launched by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, the Islamic Arts Biennale aims to establish Saudi Arabia as a key cultural hub. Its first edition welcomed over 600,000 visitors, and the second builds on this success with a more extensive and ambitious program. As Saudi Arabia undergoes cultural transformation, the Biennale serves as a bridge between tradition and contemporary artistic practices, fostering meaningful exchange and understanding on a global scale.
The Islamic Arts Biennial is on view until the 25th of May, 2025. For more information, please visit the Diriyah Biennale Foundation.
