JEDDAH: The second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale, titled “And All That Is In Between,” officially opened at the Western Hajj Terminal in Jeddah, announced by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation.
Running until May 25, 2025, the event explores how Islamic faith is experienced through feeling, thinking, and making, by blending historical artifacts with contemporary artworks.
This year’s Biennale features contributions from over 30 artists and institutions across more than 20 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, France, Indonesia, the United States, and the Vatican. It also includes 29 new artist commissions and displays more than 500 objects across five exhibition halls and outdoor spaces.
For the first time ever, visitors can view the full Kiswah, the cloth that once draped the Holy Kaaba outside of Makkah, among other rare artifacts from the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. Notable global institutions like the Louvre, Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha have loaned key pieces.
Artistic Directors Julian Raby, Amin Jaffer, and Abdul Rahman Azzam, with Saudi artist Muhannad Shono, lead the curatorial team. The exhibition’s design was developed by renowned firm OMA, spanning over 100,000 square meters.
The Biennale also includes diverse public programming such as workshops, lectures, community events, and symposia. Initiatives like Biennale After School, Biennale After Work, Culinary Thursdays, and Cinema Nights aim to engage visitors of all ages.
The event affirms Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a global hub for Islamic arts and cultural dialogue, highlighting the Kingdom’s commitment to artistic innovation and heritage preservation.
