2025 Islamic Arts Biennale 'And All That Is In Between' Launches In Jeddah With Over 500 Artworks

The Diriyah Biennale Foundation has launched the second Islamic Arts Biennale, titled "And All That is in Between," in Jeddah. This event will continue until 2025 at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport. The venue holds significant meaning for Muslim pilgrims on their Hajj and Umrah journeys. The Biennale combines historical Islamic artifacts with modern art to explore how faith is felt, expressed, and celebrated.

Over 30 artists from Saudi Arabia, the Gulf, and beyond are contributing to the Biennale, including 29 new commissions. This initiative underscores the Diriyah Biennale Foundation's dedication to offering a global platform for Saudi artists while inviting international artists to engage with diverse perspectives in contemporary art. The exhibition features seven thematic sections: AlBidayah (The Beginning), AlMadar (The Orbit), AlMuqtani (Homage), AlMidhallah (The Canopy), AlMukarramah (The Honored), AlMunawwarah (The Illuminated), and AlMusalla.

The Biennale showcases over 500 objects and artworks across five exhibition halls and outdoor spaces. It aims to deepen understanding of divine creation as perceived by humanity. Loans from prestigious institutions worldwide enrich the exhibition. These include contributions from the Musée du Louvre in Paris, Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Ahmed Baba Institute of Higher Learning and Islamic Research in Timbuktu, Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, and Manuscripts Institute of Türkiye in Istanbul.

Saudi institutions also play a vital role in this edition of the Biennale. The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran, King Abdulaziz Waqf Libraries Assembly in Madinah, and King Fahad National Library in Riyadh have contributed significantly. Visitors can view objects from Makkah and Madinah's holy sites. A notable highlight is the first-ever display outside Makkah of last year's Kiswah—the cloth covering the Holy Kaaba.

The Biennale offers public programs such as talks, workshops, community initiatives, and symposia throughout its duration. Noteworthy inaugural programs include "Biennale After School" and "Biennale After Work." These initiatives provide hands-on art workshops for children and adults alike, encouraging creativity and reflection.

The artistic team leading this event includes renowned experts like Julian Raby, Amin Jaffer, Abdul Rahman Azzam, alongside Saudi artist Muhannad Shono as Curator. The title "And All That is in Between" is inspired by a Quranic verse: "And God created the Heavens and the Earth and all that is in between." This reflects on God's creation's grandeur as seen by humans.

This second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale features more works than before while welcoming more participating institutions. It solidifies its status as a central global platform for Islamic arts exploration.

With inputs from SPA