Islamic Arts Biennale Names Lead Curators Ahead of 2027 Event
The Diriyah Biennale Foundation has announced the four lead curators for the third edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale, set to take place next year in Jeddah.
The curatorial team includes Nada Raza, director of the Alserkal Arts Foundation; William Robinson, former head of the Islamic Art department at Christie’s; Alain Fouad George, I.M. Pei professor of Islamic art and architecture at the University of Oxford and director of the Lusail Institute in Doha; and Idries Trevathan, former chief curator of the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in Dhahran.
Launched by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, the event remains the first of its kind dedicated to Islamic art and culture spanning both historical and contemporary work from around the world. Each of the four curators will present their own exhibition, bringing a distinct perspective to the biennale while exploring themes of intangible heritage, resilience and community.
The event will also expand its reach through AlMadar, or The Orbit, a collaborative platform connecting Saudi and international institutions, museums and individuals working in Islamic culture and art. For 2027, AlMadar will introduce a digitized archival platform alongside expanded programming in Saudi Arabia and at partner institutions worldwide, building out a global network focused on deepening and sharing knowledge of Islamic art.
The biennale opens on November 1 at the award-winning Western Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport, with newly commissioned artworks featured prominently throughout the event. Its outdoor area will showcase the winning design from the second edition of the AlMusalla Prize, a competition reimagining the future of spaces of worship. Set beneath the terminal’s distinctive canopies, the installation will bring together contemporary artworks and public programming.
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