JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia) – The much-anticipated 2025 Islamic Arts Biennale has officially opened in the Saudi Red Sea port city of Jeddah, promising an immersive experience that blends the divine with the contemporary. This year’s edition of the biennale, titled ‘And All That Is In Between’, is the second iteration of this ground-breaking event.
It is set to explore how faith is expressed, experienced, and celebrated through art, culture, and thought.With over 30 major international institutions contributing from iconic museums like the Musée du Louvre and the Victoria and Albert Museum to the King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture and the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, the 2025 biennale represents a global celebration of Islamic arts, spanning centuries of history and diverse cultures.
Unique cultural junction
The Islamic Arts Biennale is held at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah — a city long regarded as a cultural crossroads for millions of Muslim pilgrims en route to Mecca and Medina.
This year’s event is much more than just an art exhibition: it is a dialogue between the sacred and the contemporary, blending timeless Islamic artefacts with cutting-edge art from around the world.Curated by Julian Raby, Amin Jaffer, Abdul Rahman Azzam, and Saudi artist Muhannad Shono, the biennale is a stunning representation of cultural exchange and creativity.
It is a celebration of how art can reflect the majesty of God’s creation, as the title And All That Is In Between suggests, referencing a key verse from the Holy Quran that underscores the vastness of creation.
Global art, dialogue stage
The biennale showcases over 500 objects and new commissions across five exhibition halls and outdoor spaces, featuring 30+ artists from Saudi Arabia and around the world. A highlight is the unprecedented display of the Kiswah – the sacred cloth that adorns the Holy Kaaba – showcased outside of Mecca, for the first time.
With pieces from esteemed institutions across the globe, including Egypt, Tunisia, India, Spain, and Uzbekistan, the event provides a rare opportunity to view historical Islamic treasures alongside contemporary creations that are in dialogue with these artefacts.
The 2025 Biennale expands upon its inaugural edition by offering a broader scope of works and significantly increasing the number of participating institutions.
With contributions from artists like Ahmed Mater, Imran Qureshi, and Fatma Abdulhadi, visitors can experience a compelling intersection of historical reverence and modern artistic innovation.
Spirituality, innovation, unity
The exhibition is divided into seven distinct zones, each offering a different lens through which visitors can explore its main theme.
These zones include Al-Bidayah, a serene space for contemplating the sacred through objects from Mecca and Medina, Al-Madar which explores the relationship between celestial navigation and Islamic arts, combining mathematical beauty with artistic expression, and Al-Muqtani, a tribute to the outstanding collectors of Islamic art, showcasing precious materials and exquisite craftsmanship.
The same zones also include Al-Midhallah, a lush outdoor space featuring new commissions that merge contemporary art with environmental and social reflections, and AlMukarramah and Al-Munawwarah, permanent pavilions dedicated to Mecca and Medina that explore the two cities’ spiritual significance through art and storytelling.
Public engagement, creative programming
The 2025 Biennale also offers a rich array of public programmes to engage visitors of all ages. From family-friendly workshops to culinary explorations and film screenings, the biennale fosters an environment of creativity and learning.
Programmes like Biennale After School and Biennale After Work invite participants to immerse themselves in the world of art through hands-on activities, while the Turuq symposium delves into the cultural significance of food across the Arab world.
Vision for the future
One of the most exciting aspects of the 2025 Biennale is the unveiling of the Al-Musalla Prize-winning design, an innovative structure inspired by regional weaving traditions and constructed using sustainable materials derived from date palm trees. Designed by EAST Architecture Studio, this adaptable structure will serve as a gathering space for visitors throughout the biennale, offering a modern reinterpretation of traditional spaces of worship.
Future of Islamic Arts in Saudi Arabia
The Islamic Arts Biennale, organised by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, is an essential part of Saudi Arabia’s broader cultural renaissance. By providing a world-class platform for dialogue and exchange, the biennale plays a crucial role in positioning Saudi Arabia as a global cultural hub. With its remarkable blend of history, spirituality and contemporary art, the 2025 edition promises to inspire reflection, foster understanding, and celebrate the rich heritage of Islamic arts.
The biennale will last until May 25, offering an unforgettable journey into the heart of Islamic culture and creativity.
