the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale on Thursday, under the theme “In Settlement and Travel.” This prominent cultural event will continue to welcome visitors from January 30 to May 2, 2026, at the Jax Creative District in Diriyah, a site of strategic and historical significance adjacent to the historic Al-Turaif district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
renewed cultural and historical context
This event is not merely a fleeting art exhibition, but rather the culmination of an unprecedented cultural movement in Saudi Arabia, aligned with the goals of Vision 2030, which prioritizes arts and culture as a cornerstone of quality of life and a soft power that fosters intercultural dialogue. As the birthplace of the first Saudi state, Diriyah is the ideal setting for this fusion of historical heritage and contemporary art, transforming the Jax Industrial Estate into a global platform for creativity.
This edition is overseen by a distinguished team of art curators, artistic directors Noura Razian and Sabih Ahmad. The organizers drew inspiration for the biennial's theme from the concepts of movement, migration, and transformation—themes that throughout history have formed bridges connecting the Arabian Peninsula to the world, reflecting the depth of human connections through collective memory, stories, and musical rhythms.
Global participation and exceptional design
The 2026 edition boasts significant international momentum, featuring 68 artists and creators representing more than 37 countries worldwide. The biennial will present over 25 new artworks commissioned by the Diriyah Biennial Foundation, underscoring the Foundation's role as a producer of culture, not merely an exhibitor.
Visually, the exhibition features an innovative scenography designed by the renowned Italian design studio Forma Fantasma. The design reimagines the industrial architecture of the Jaxx district, using color and form to create curved pathways and overlapping levels that take visitors on a visual journey across nearly 12,900 square meters, seamlessly blending indoor galleries with open outdoor spaces.
Artistic and musical dimensions
This series notably focuses on the musical and sonic dimension as a tool for documenting social history. A highlight in this context is the performance piece “Folding the Tents” (2026) by Saudi artist Mohammed Al-Hamdan, which blends heritage with modern transformations through a convoy of Toyota Land Cruiser pickup trucks traversing Wadi Hanifa and the Jax neighborhood, culminating in a performance by the Abdullah Miniawi Trio. This work explores the concept of the caravan in the age of the digital and mechanical revolution, linking the rituals of the past with the practices of the present.
Enhancing the Kingdom's international standing
Commenting on the event, Professor Aya Al-Bakri, CEO of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, confirmed that the 2026 edition marks the fifth biennale organized by the foundation since its inception, noting that this continuity reflects the maturity of the art scene in the Kingdom. She explained that the biennale documents a remarkable diversity of artistic output and reinforces Saudi Arabia's position as a center of thought and creativity, emphasizing the foundation's commitment to providing global platforms for artists and fostering cultural exchange.
For their part, the artistic directors, Noura Razian and Sabih Ahmed, invited the public to engage with the “In the City and the Traveler” experience, which presents a vision of a world shaped by continuous movement and intersecting paths, far from stagnation and rigidity, thus opening new horizons for thinking about our contemporary reality.
