Islamic Arts Biennale Unveils Theme for the 2025 Edition in Jeddah

The Diriyah Biennale Foundation has announced the theme ‘And all that is in between’ 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.

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.

The theme 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.

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.

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.

Spread across five exhibition halls and outdoor spaces, across 100,000 square metres of dedicated exhibition space, this Islamic Art Biennale will consist of seven separate but complementary zones.

AlBidaya ("The Beginning"), the first exhibition, invites visitors to contemplate the sacred through a blend of material objects and contemporary artworks. This serene space is designed to foster an awareness of the deeper spiritual truth that transcends the physical realm.

The second zone, AlMadar ("The Orbit"), symbolises celestial navigation, the mapping of oceans and rivers, and mathematical calculations. It showcases how Muslim cultures have utilised numbers to understand God's creation and to infuse order, symmetry, and beauty into everyday life. 

With an emphasis on tangible beauty, AlMuqtani ("Homage"), the third exhibition, refocuses the visitor's experience on the material world. Showcasing Islamic artwork from two distinguished collectors, Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani and Rifaat Sheikh El Ard, this segment highlights exceptional craftsmanship, with a particular emphasis on jewelled objects and works tied to chivalric culture across various Islamic civilisations. 

In Islamic cultures, the garden has long been a symbol reflecting humanity's relationship with both the earth and the heavens. AlMathala ("The Canopy") section features a collection of commissioned artworks exploring the natural world, engaging with the culture of gardens while addressing contemporary social and environmental issues. Visitors are guided through four distinct quadrants, each designed to inspire reflection, learning, meditation, and social interaction. 

AlMukarramah, referencing Makkah al-Mukarramah ("The Honored"), and AlMunawwarah, referencing Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah ("The Illuminated"), form a section dedicated to Saudi Arabia's role as the guardian of these two holy cities. It features two permanent pavilions, showcasing human-centered stories that highlight the contrasting yet harmonious nature of these sacred cities. 

A final notable feature of this edition is the unveiling of AlMusalla, an outdoor installation designed to reimagine traditional Islamic gardens, sheltered beneath the iconic canopy of the Western Hajj Terminal. This new structure will be constructed by the winner of the AlMusalla Prize, a new international architecture competition recently launched by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation to design a prayer space. 

Photography Credit: Diriyah Biennale Foundation