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Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2024 Announces 92 Artists Under Title 'After Rain'

festival-fair · 2026-04-22

The 'After Rain' Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale is set to take place from February 20 to May 24, 2024, in Diriyah, located near Riyadh. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Ute Meta Bauer, the event will showcase 92 artists hailing from 43 different countries, with 30 representatives from the Gulf region. The theme signifies renewal, featuring new commissions that illustrate Saudi Arabia's evolving social landscape, including works by Ahmed Mater and Armin Linke, as well as Sara Abdu. Ramadan will emphasize community dining experiences. Outdoor exhibits will showcase a felt canopy by Azra Akšamija and a glass structure by Anne Holtrop. The biennial will occupy seven halls in the JAX District and include a year-long series of Biennale Encounters. Bauer seeks to enhance the cultural ecosystem, while CEO Aya Al Bakree highlights the transformative nature of the arts.

Key facts

  • Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2024 titled 'After Rain'
  • Artistic Director: Ute Meta Bauer
  • Opens February 20 to May 24, 2024
  • Location: Diriyah, near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • 92 artists from 43 countries, 30 from Gulf region
  • New commissions include Ahmed Mater & Armin Linke collaboration
  • Sara Abdu creates soap towers; Mohammad AlFaraj uses palm trees and sound
  • Ramadan focus: communal food events by Britto Arts Trust, NJOKOBOK, Lucy + Jorge Orta
  • Outdoor installations by Azra Akšamija (70m felt canopy) and Anne Holtrop (recycled glass structure)
  • Biennale Encounters series started April 2023

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • Diriyah Biennale Foundation
  • UNESCO
  • Britto Arts Trust
  • JAX District
  • Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale
  • Biennale Encounters
  • Diriyah Biennale
  • Brito Arts Trust
  • Artribune
  • UNHCR

Locations

  • Diriyah
  • Riyadh
  • Saudi Arabia
  • At-Turaif
  • Al Ahsa
  • Eastern Province
  • Wadi Hanifa
  • Gulf region
  • JAX District
  • At-Tunaif
  • Al-Ahsa
  • Berlin
  • Indonesia
  • Gulf
  • Southeast Asia
  • Asia
  • Middle East
  • Africa
  • Latin America
  • Iran
  • Vietnam
  • Palestine

Sources