Islamic Arts Biennale Unveils Theme for the 2025 Edition in Jeddah
From January 25 to May 25, the second edition aims to explore how faith is experienced through art, culture, and nature.
The Diriyah Biennale Foundation has announced the theme ‘Exploring Faith Through Art and Culture’ for the second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale. Building on the success of its 2023 inaugural edition, which drew over 600,000 visitors, this biennale remains the first and only event dedicated to showcasing the arts of Islamic civilization. The previous edition, titled ‘Awwal Bait’, focused on the timeless rituals of Islam from its inception to today.
Set to run from January 25 to May 25, 2025, at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, the upcoming edition will delve into how faith is experienced, expressed, and celebrated through the acts of feeling, thinking, and making.
This year’s edition will feature contributions from institutions spanning the globe - from the United States to France and Denmark, as well as Egypt, Qatar, Oman, Palestine, Indonesia, and Uzbekistan - highlighting the global scope of Islamic art and culture.
Spread across five exhibition halls and outdoor spaces, the Biennale will display over 500 objects by more than 20 Saudi and international artists. Historical Islamic artefacts, sourced from renowned institutions like the Louvre in Paris and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, will be juxtaposed with contemporary artworks, bridging tradition and modernity in a meaningful dialogue.
The event draws inspiration from the Quranic verse, "And God created the Heavens and the Earth and all that is in between," and explores human creativity through the lens of art, culture, and nature, offering a unique interpretation of the divine.
A notable feature of this edition will be the unveiling of AlMusalla, an outdoor installation designed to reimagine traditional Islamic gardens, sheltered beneath the iconic canopy of the Western Hajj Terminal - a product of an architectural competition for a prayer space.
The Biennale offers a rare opportunity for visitors to experience sacred artefacts on sacred ground. Through its blend of historical and contemporary Islamic art, the Islamic Arts Biennale fosters dialogue and a deeper understanding of faith, spirituality, and cultural significance across time and regions.
Photography Credit: Diriyah Biennale Foundation
