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Saudi Arabia's first Islamic Arts Biennale has just been extended

The exhibition will reimagine the symbolic Western Hajj Terminal through art…

The inaugural Islamic Arts Biennale 2023 (IAB) is taking place at the iconic Aga Khan award-winning Western Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah.

And we’re excited to announce that the Biennale has just been extended to Sunday May 23. Meaning we’re getting one more month full of gorgeous artwork (exciting, right?).

Bridging the gap between past, present, and future, the biennale will provide a holistic perspective into the Islamic arts through the integration of historic and contemporary works.

Four galleries and two pavilions will house over 60 commissions, 15 never-exhibited-before works, and 280 artefacts from local and international institutions.

The biennale will highlight the beauty and diversity of the Muslim experience, featuring carefully curated artworks about daily rituals and the Hajj, as well as treasures from The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque (Haramain Authority).

Museums from around the world with an interest in Islamic Arts will also loan prestigious artefacts to the IAB including Benaki Museum, Athens; History of Science Museum, Oxford; The Louvre, Paris; and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

“For a very long time, the world has perceived Islamic Arts through a very specific lens, one that has often restricted or defined its boundaries.” Farida Alhusseini, director of the IAB said, “With the Islamic Arts Biennale, we are working to broaden that definition, and enable a deeper and more nuanced exploration of the Islamic arts.”

Tickets for the IAB are free, but online registration is required. Registration can be done online here: iab2023.org

Western Hajj Terminal, King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah. January 23 to May 23. Sunday to Thursday and Saturdays 11am to 11pm, Fridays 2pm to 11pm. iab2023.org

Images: Provided

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