The Diriyah Biennale Foundation has announced the opening of the second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale, titled And All That Is In Between. The event takes place in Jeddah at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport, a site significant for millions of Muslim pilgrims. By combining historical objects from Islamic cultures with contemporary art, the Biennale examines how faith is experienced, expressed, and celebrated through various forms. The exhibition will remain open until May 25, 2025.

Led by Artistic Directors Julian Raby, Amin Jaffer, and Abdul Rahman Azzam, and curated by Saudi artist Muhannad Shono, the Biennale provides insights into cultural interactions and transformations occurring in Saudi Arabia within a global context.

***Islamic Arts Biennale 2025, Photo by Marco Cappelletti, courtesy of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation***
*Installation view of the AlMadar component of the 2025 Islamic Arts Biennale. Center: Timo Nasseri, Echoes of the Skies (2025).*

And All That Is In Between refers to a verse in the Quran: “And God created the Heavens and the Earth and all that is in between.” This phrase highlights the breadth of God's creation as perceived by humans. Featuring more than 500 objects and contemporary artworks across five exhibition halls and outdoor spaces, the 2025 Islamic Arts Biennale delves into how people attempt to understand the divine creation.

In its second edition, the Biennale showcases a greater number of works and participating institutions, solidifying its role as a central platform for Islamic arts globally. The exhibition includes loans from leading institutions worldwide, such as the Musée du Louvre (Paris) and the Victoria and Albert Museum (London), as well as specialized collections like the Ahmed Baba Institute of Higher Learning and Islamic Research (Timbuktu) and the Museum of Islamic Art (Doha). Various institutions from Saudi Arabia also contribute, including the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Dhahran) and the King Fahad National Library (Riyadh). Notably, the Biennale features the first public display of the entire Kiswah—the cloth that covers the Holy Kaaba—outside of Makkah.

Over 30 artists from Saudi Arabia, the Gulf region, and internationally are participating, including 29 new commissions. This initiative by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation aims to provide a global stage for Saudi artists and introduce international artistic practices to local audiences.

The Islamic Arts Biennale comprises seven sections: AlBidayah (“The Beginning”), AlMadar (“The Orbit”), AlMuqtani (“Homage”), AlMidhallah (“The Canopy”), AlMukarramah (“The Honored”), AlMunawwarah (“The Illuminated”), and AlMusalla. Spread across 100,000 square meters of exhibition space, the scenography is designed by the architecture firm OMA.

This year includes the inaugural AlMusalla Prize-winning design by EAST Architecture Studio, in collaboration with engineers AKT II and artist Rayyane Tabet. The design, inspired by regional weaving traditions, uses waste materials from local date palm trees.

The Biennale also offers a range of public programs, including talks, workshops, community initiatives, and symposia. New programs such as Biennale After School and Biennale After Work encourage creative engagement through hands-on workshops. The Research Room returns in 2025 with a symposium on “Turuq: The Many Ways of Food,” focusing on Arab culinary practices. Weekly events include Culinary Thursdays, Cinema Nights, Sketching Saturdays, and children’s tours, providing an inclusive and dynamic environment for learning and cultural exchange. These activities take place at the Western Hajj Terminal in Jeddah.

Islamic Arts Biennale

Islamic Arts Biennale: ‘And All That Is In Between’

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