RIYADH: More than 25 newly commissioned artworks were unveiled as the third Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale concluded on Saturday at JAX District in Diriyah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The works were displayed across about 12,900 sq. meters of exhibition halls with scenography by design studio Formafantasma.
Held under the theme “In Interludes and Transitions,” the biennale drew on an Arabic colloquial phrase evoking the cycles of movement and settlement among nomadic communities in the Arabian Peninsula.
It explored ideas of mobility, migration and transformation, tracing connections between the region and the wider world across different historical periods.
The exhibition brought together 68 artists from more than 37 countries at the JAX District, near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif.
Highlights included “Folding the Tents” by Saudi artist Mohammed Al-Hamdan, also known as Hamdan, alongside Petrit Halilaj’s “Very Volcanic Over this Green Feather” and Theo Mercier’s “House of Eternity.”
The exhibition also featured a series of works developed through field research by international artists.
The closing week included a range of public programs, such as musical performances, a talk series featuring participating artists, and JAX Open Studios, alongside interactive outdoor events.
Co-Artistic Directors Nora Razian and Sabih Ahmed said the edition focused on continuity and solidarity: “As In Interludes and Transitions draws to a close, its message of continuity and solidarity remains prescient. We had the privilege of bringing forth a constellation of voices through newly commissioned works, existing projects, and programs and performances.”
Aya Al-Bakree, CEO of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, said the event succeeded in bringing together artists and ideas from around the world, enhancing cultural dialogue.
“As we close In Interludes and Transitions, we celebrate an edition that truly came alive through the people who experienced it. This biennale welcomed artists, communities and ideas from across the world to the JAX District in Diriyah.”
Al-Bakree added: “We were moved by the depth of connection audiences brought to the works, and how our public programs extended the conversation far beyond the gallery walls. This is our fifth biennale, and each edition reminds us why this work matters. I’m deeply grateful to all who contributed to making it possible.”
The event marks the fifth biennale organized by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation and signals a new phase in the development of JAX District.
An expanded master plan, supported by the international architecture studio, known as OMA, aims to expand the district to accommodate up to 215 creative entities across 78,000 sq. meters.
The biennale is preparing to host the third Islamic Arts Biennale at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, which is expected to run from Nov. 1, 2027, to March 1, 2028.
