As Jeddah gears up to welcome the next Islamic Arts Biennale, four curatorial perspectives will take center stage.
How Will Four Curators Reframe Islamic Art?
The Diriyah Biennale Foundation has unveiled the four lead curators for the event’s third edition, which will be held next year.
The four curators bring together a broad spectrum of expertise across contemporary art, Islamic art, academia, and cultural institutions. The lineup includes Nada Raza, director of the Alserkal Arts Foundation; William Robinson, former head of the Islamic Art department at Christie’s; Alain Fouad George, I.M. Pei Professor of Islamic Art and Architecture at the University of Oxford and director of the Lusail Institute in Doha; and Idries Trevathan, former chief curator of the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in Dhahran.
Conceived and launched by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, the Islamic Arts Biennale stands out as the first event of its kind dedicated to Islamic art and culture across both ancient and modern traditions from around the world.
For its third edition, each lead curator will present an exhibition reflecting their individual perspective, while delving into themes of intangible heritage, resilience, and community.
The Biennale Expands Beyond Its Exhibitions
Remarkably, the biennale’s institutional network will also take on a broader dimension through AlMadar (The Orbit), a collaborative platform bringing together Saudi and international museums, institutions, and individuals representing Islamic culture and art.
In 2027, the platform will launch a digitized archival platform and expand programmes across Saudi Arabia and partner institutions worldwide, further connecting a global community of knowledge and practice.
The biennale will open its doors on November 1 at Jeddah’s award-winning Western Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport.
Alongside its exhibitions, the biennale will showcase new commissioned works that expand its contemporary artistic landscape.
Meanwhile, the outdoor area will feature the winning design from the second AlMusalla Prize, which explores how worship spaces can evolve, with an installation beneath the terminal’s iconic canopies that seamlessly blends contemporary artworks with public programmes.
How Will Islamic Art Connect Past and Present?
Building on the success of its inaugural and second editions, the Islamic Arts Biennale 2027 will introduce a more advanced vision, following earlier presentations of over 500 historic objects from more than 40 institutions across 20 countries.
The exhibition features several historic works, some shown for the first time, alongside new contemporary pieces, highlighting visions and perspectives that connect with people’s lives today around the world.
Opening at the end of each year, the third edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale as well as future editions of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, will offer the foundation a great opportunity to strengthen its institutional partnerships while aligning with the Kingdom’s broader cultural calendar.
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