The exhibition takes place at King Abdulaziz Airport.
Art lovers, get ready to paint the town. Jeddah is bringing back the Islamic Arts Biennale from Monday, 1 November 2027, to Wednesday, 1 March 2028. The venue is located at the Western Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport.
The Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah has already taken place in 2023 and 2025. The first theme was Awwal Bait, which means “First House.” The name refers to the Holy Ka’bah in Mecca, which is one of the most sacred sites in Islam. The second edition, titled “And All That Is In-Between, “delved into how faith is experienced, expressed, and celebrated through emotions, beliefs, and creative works.
The showcase will feature over 500 historical artefacts and contemporary artworks, including pieces from Makkah and Madinah, on loan from renowned museums like the Louvre in Paris and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Key highlights in previous years have included exhibits on celestial navigation and Islamic gardens, as well as a competition to design a new prayer space. The winning design will be constructed on-site.
Building on the momentum of its first two editions, the event will broaden its curatorial remit, strengthen partnerships with institutions, and continue developing new ways to present Islamic arts across historical and contemporary contexts.
Established by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, the Islamic Arts Biennale is the world’s first biennale devoted solely to exploring the arts of Islamic civilisations, across both historical and contemporary contexts.
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GO: Visit https://biennale.org.sa for more information.