The inaugural Islamic Arts Biennale 2023 is held at Hajj Terminal, the historically significant gateway to the two holiest cities, Makkah and Madinah, for Muslims across the world.

By connecting the past, present and future, we seek to inspire and captivate though a showcase of vibrant display of Islamic artistry spanning over four centuries of history. Expect to engage with our artists and curators through a series of site specific installations and public programmes while touring our cultural and heritage sites.

Inviting and bringing together institutions and individuals from the Kingdom and all over the world to showcase their collections in a dedicated gallery space, AlMadar aspires to become a global reference and repository for thought-provoking dialogue, and a nexus for the exchange of practices and innovative research around tangible and intangible traditions of arts and culture from the Islamic World.

This first edition starts by paying homage to patron Sheikh Nasser Al-Sabah (1948–2020) and celebrates 40 years of the seminal al-Sabah Collection, Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah, Kuwait. Alongside this, objects from around the world are displayed in an unprecedented mingling of institutional collections from Mali, Egypt, Tunisia, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Oman, and Qatar.

Finally, to embrace the significance of the Biennale taking place at the iconic Hajj Terminal, visitors are invited to explore how the innovative structure came to life—both in its journey from design concept to physical structure, and in its embrace by millions of pilgrims—and why it remains a testament to Saudi Arabia’s dynamic and forward-looking energy.

The Islamic Arts Biennale is organized by Diriyah Biennale Foundation. Established in 2020 with the support of the Saudi Ministry of Culture, assumes a critical role in nurturing creative expression and instilling an appreciation for culture, the arts, and their transformative potential. The Foundation aspires to be a catalyst for lifelong learning and serves Saudi Arabia’s communities by offering opportunities to engage with the burgeoning local art scene.

Diriyah Biennale Foundation is also the organizer of Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale was held in Riyadh.

Source: biennale.org.sa