One of the most anticipated art events of the year is the second iteration of the Islamic Arts Biennale organised by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation. Presenting historical artefacts and contemporary works, this event is being held at the Western Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah (KSA). On display until 25 May 2025, the Biennale is set within the terminal’s majestic architecture, a symbolic gateway for pilgrims travelling to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. Curated by Julian Raby, Amin Jaffer, Abdul Rahman Azzam, and Muhannad Shono, the exhibition’s scenography is developed by the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA), an esteemed international architecture firm.
This year’s Biennale is titled And All That Is In Between, which is part of a verse from the Quran: “And God created the Heavens and the Earth and all that is in between.” With over 500 objects and contemporary works — including 29 newly commissioned pieces — by 30 Middle Eastern and international artists, the Biennale delves into how faith is experienced, expressed, and celebrated through emotion, intellect, and craftsmanship. It serves as a platform for artists to reflect on spirituality, identity, and the relationship between past and present.
The exhibition features loans from prestigious institutions, which include the Louvre Museum (Paris, France), the V&A Museum (London, UK), the Museum of Islamic Art (Doha, Qatar), and the National Museum – Sultanate of Oman (Muscat, Oman), to name a few. It also brings together major Saudi institutions: the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), the King Abdulaziz Complex for Endowment Libraries, and the King Fahad National Library. On view are historical artefacts, religious objects, and art pieces, as well as items specifically dedicated to Islamic arts and cultures.
Spanning 100,000 sqm, the Biennale comprises seven sections: AlBidayah (The Beginning), AlMadar (The Orbit), AlMuqtani (Homage), AlMidhallah (The Canopy), AlMukarramah (The Honored), AlMunawwarah (The Illuminated), and AlMusalla.
Devoted to the Holy Qa’ran and Ka’bah, the AlBidaya section juxtaposes artefacts from the sacred cities of Makkah al-Mukarramah and Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, such as ancient manuscripts and intricately embroidered kiswah, with contemporary commissioned artworks. Among these is Memory of Becoming by Italian artist Arcangelo Sassolino, a rotating black steel disc dripping with oil, symbolising balance and transformation. Also featured is the Glass Qur’an by British architect and artist Asif Khan, composed of 604 hand-gilded glass folios.
The AlMadar section explores how numerals have been used to understand divine order and their significance in Islamic culture. This section highlights the role of numbers in art, architecture, and music, showcasing astrolabes (ancient tools used to calculate celestial navigation), scholarly manuscripts, including those by Fibonacci and Euclid annotated in Arabic, early architectural drawings, and hand-drawn maps. A standout exhibit is a Fibonacci manuscript lent from the Vatican Library, presented alongside a mathematical treatise by al-Khwarizmi, demonstrating the intellectual connections between different cultures.
Among the contemporary works is Echoes of the Skies by multidisciplinary artist Timo Nasseri. This installation, inspired by a Sufi poem, explores muqarnas, an Islamic architectural ornamentation technique, blending tradition and modern artistic interpretation.
The AlMuqtani section pays tribute to individual collectors whose contributions have shaped the study of Islamic art and culture. It houses exhibits from two significant collections: the Al Thani Collection and the Furusiyya Arts Foundation. The Al Thani Collection is characterised by a taste for precious materials and fine artistry while the Furusiyya Art Foundation’s collection is famous for metalwork, particularly pieces associated with chivalric culture across Islamic civilisations.
The outdoor AlMidhallah section focuses on the role of gardens in Islamic civilization, exhibiting commissioned works that reflect their design and cultural significance. Meanwhile, the AlMukarramah and AlMunawwarah sections present two pavilions dedicated to their namesake cities. Here, one can have a look at the black and gold kiswah and the sacred green and gold drapery made for the Prophet’s tomb.
The Biennale also showcases the inaugural AlMusalla Prize-winning design, an innovative architectural response to the concept of a musalla, a prayer and reflection space. Designed by EAST Architecture Studio together with AKT II and Lebanese artist Rayyane Tabet, the modular pavilion is crafted from sustainable materials derived from local date palm waste, integrating ecological and cultural traditions.
Beyond the exhibition, the Biennale offers an exciting public programme with talks, workshops, community initiatives, and symposia throughout its duration.
To get more information about the Islamic Arts Biennale 2025, please go to the event’s official web page.
In addition, you might be interested in visiting the open-air sculpture museum on the Corniche in Jeddah.
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