Al-Monitor Riyadh: Islamic Arts Biennale kicks off
The second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale is drawing people from around the world to its opening in Jeddah.
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The second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale is drawing people from around the world to its opening in Jeddah. This week I’ll highlight sections of the biennale that bridge Islamic and contemporary art; one of Jeddah’s most popular seaside restaurants, Al Nakheel; exhibitions in Jeddah that highlight the power of Palestinian embroidery; and many more exhilarating events.
Leading the week: Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah
A view of the 2023 Islamic Arts Biennale at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport. (Courtesy of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation)
Major figures from the international and regional Arab art world gather in the Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah this week for the opening of the second Islamic Arts Biennale. Titled “And All That Is In Between,” the bienniale, organized by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, explores how faith is expressed, experienced and celebrated through thinking, feeling and making. The title — a phrase that appears several times in the Quran: “And God created the Heavens and the Earth and all that is in between” — alludes to the expansive and ever-inspiring scope of God’s creation as experienced by humankind.
This year’s event presents five exhibition halls and outdoor spaces at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport, showcasing over 500 historical objects and contemporary artworks. Significantly larger than its first edition staged in 2023, this year’s Islamic Arts Biennale features more works from a much larger range of participating institutions.
Over 20 commissioned works by international artists will be unveiled during the biennale. These include works by Libyan artist Nour Jaouda, Saudi artist Fatma Abdulhadi and Taiwanese artist Charwei Tsai.
The biennale consists of seven sections: “Al Bidaya” (The Beginning) explores faith through artifacts and new works. “Al Madar” (The Orbit) highlights how numerals connect humanity to the divine. “Al Muqtani” (Homage) honors collectors like Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani and Rifaat Sheikh El Ard for their contributions to Islamic art. “Al Mathala” (Canopy) features works inspired by Islamic gardens. “Al Mukarramah” (Makkah) and “Al Munawwarah” (Madinah) each recreate the sacred ambiance of its respective city. The final section, in Hajj Terminal, showcases the Al Musalla Prize winner for new architecture in Muslim societies.
Date: Jan. 25 to May 25
Location: Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah
Find more information here.
Word on the street: Al Nakheel
A view of outdoor seating at Al Nakheel restaurant in Jeddah. (Courtesy of Al Nakheel)
For those journeying to Jeddah for the Islamic Arts Biennale, try the delicious Hejazi-Egyptian restaurant Al Nakheel. The restaurant, which can accommodate over 1,000 guests, opened in 1986 and is one of Jeddah’s oldest eateries and most popular landmarks. Located on the famous Jeddah Corniche, this spacious, laid-back, open-air venue offers magnificent sea views in a Hejazi-inspired decor. A favorite restaurant for Jeddawis and foreigners, a meal here offers delicious Hejazi dishes from Saudi Arabia’s west coast region alongside Middle Eastern dishes.
Location: Al Kurnaysh Br Rd, Ash Shati, Jeddah 23413
Find more information here.
Riyadh diary
An installation view of Jubilee (2021) by James Turrell. A Royal Commission for AlUla Contemporary Art collection © James Turrell. (Courtesy of the Royal Commission for AlUla)
“Homes of Memory”
Curated by Heba El Moaz, this thought-provoking exhibition showcases the works of contemporary Saudi artist Bashaer Hawsawi. Running until March 25, “Homes of Memory” presents the artist’s latest collaborative project through powerful personal visual narratives. The artist’s mixed media works on view are rooted in stories that connect the past and the present and draw inspiration from her childhood in the spiritual regions of Makkah and Jeddah, where the sacred rituals of Islamic pilgrimage were part of the backdrop of everyday life.
Location: Hafez Gallery Ahmad Ibn Abbas, Ar Rawdah, Jeddah 23435, Saudi Arabia
Date: until March 25
Find more information here.
James Turrell exhibition
This exhibition, located in two spaces in AlJadidah Arts District in AlUla, presents the work of pioneering light and space artist James Turrell. On view are several of the artist’s impressive light art installations, renders, plans and a constellation map relating to his commission for Wadi AlFann, or Valley of the Arts, in AlUla. The exhibition also includes four works from the Royal Commission for AlUla and private collections, highlighting Turrell’s mastery of light as an artistic medium.
Location: AlJadidah Arts District, AlUla
Date: until April 19
Find more information here.
“Thread Memory: Embroidery from Palestine”
This exhibition features embroidery from the impressive collections of the Palestinian Museum in Birzeit, delving into both the historical and contemporary significance of the Palestinian tradition of tatreez, or traditional Palestinian embroidery primarily created by women. The exhibition, curated by Rachel Dedman, draws from over a decade of work that she created on Palestinian embroidery and dress, which she began during her time as a curator for the Palestinian Museum.
Location: Hayy Jameel, 7829, Al Muhammadiyah District, Jeddah 23615
Date: Jan. 23 to April 17
Find more information here.
Book of the week: "Not Like Other Women"
Dubai-based Saudi author and businesswoman Samya Al-Harbi’s new book offers a collection of stories about women living in the Arab world, into which Harbi weaves her own insight and experiences. Since she moved to Dubai in 2018, the author — also the founder of Samiyah Ahmed Gold Trading, a leading provider of gold and precious stones — has divided her time between Dubai and Riyadh.
Published by Austin Macauley, Harbi says in an interview with “Arab News” that she believes the book captures the resilience and innovation of women in the Arab world that shapes their futures. “This is not just my story, but a reflection of the lives of many women in the Arab world who have dared to dream, to grow and to challenge societal norms,” said Harbi. “I hope this book inspires others to embrace their own journeys with courage.”
View from Riyadh
Haitham Alsharif's "Jawaher," from the Saudi Social Shift series, 2023. (Courtesy of the artist)
Riyadh-based photographer Haitham Al-Sharif is interested in documenting the often unseen or overlooked aspects of society, particularly in his home country of Saudi Arabia.
By the numbers
- Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector experienced a 107% increase in hotel rooms year-on-year during the third quarter of 2024, bringing their total to 443,200 rooms, according to official Saudi data.
- There was a growth of 99% percent in the rate of licenses issued in Saudi in the tourism hospitality facility sector during the third quarter of 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, according to the Saudi Ministry of Tourism.
