Sharjah Biennial 16: to carry Launches with 650+ Works
The Sharjah Biennial 16: to carry (SB16) is kicking off on February 6, 2025. It will feature over 650 pieces from nearly 200 artists, with more than 200 of those being brand new commissions. The event is curated by a team comprising Alia Swastika, Amal Khalaf, Megan Tamati-Quennell, Natasha Ginwala, and Zeynep Öz, and it explores the idea of carrying—both in terms of objects and cultural significance. Art will be displayed in more than 17 venues around Sharjah City, Al Hamriyah, Al Dhaid, and Kalba. Each curator is focusing on unique aspects, like women's empowerment, storytelling, Indigenous land, ancestral memory, and economic systems. Notable works include Mariam M. Alnoaimi's reflections on Gulf waters and Akinbode Akinbiyi's Sea Never Dry series. The biennial will also feature interactive sound experiences, including Michael Parekōwhai's playable Steinway piano.
Key facts
- SB16 launches on 6 February 2025
- Over 650 works by nearly 200 participants
- More than 200 new commissions
- Curated by Alia Swastika, Amal Khalaf, Megan Tamati-Quennell, Natasha Ginwala, and Zeynep Öz
- Works in over 17 venues across Sharjah City, Al Hamriyah, Al Dhaid, and Kalba
- Yhonnie Scarce's work references British nuclear testing in Australia in the 1950s and 1960s
- Michael Parekōwhai's He Kōrero Pūrākau mo Te Awanui o Te Motu is a carved Steinway piano
- Bilna'es presents a vinyl publishing project and group exhibition about debt
Entities
Artists
- Alia Swastika
- Amal Khalaf
- Megan Tamati-Quennell
- Natasha Ginwala
- Zeynep Öz
- Mariam M. Alnoaimi
- Akinbode Akinbiyi
- SERAPIS MARITIME
- Cassi Namoda
- Megan Cope
- Yhonnie Scarce
- Adelita Husni-Bey
- Alia Farid
- Luana Vitra
- Risham Syed
- Betty Adii
- Septina Layan
- Helene Kazan
- Faye HeavyShield
- Rajni Perera
- Womanifesto
- Akira Ikezoe
- Pratchaya Phinthong
- Joe Namy
- Jorge González Santos
- Fernando Palma Rodríguez
- Güneş Terkol
- Salima Hakim
- Yim Yen Sum
- Raven Chacon
- Ayşe İdil İdil
- Betül Aksu
- Okyanus Çağrı Çamcı
- Merve Elveren
- Concrete Thread Repertoire
- Bilna'es
- Michael Parekōwhai
- Mara TK
- Sarathy Kowar
- Asmahan
- Adam HajYahia
- Akram Zaatari
- Albert Refiti
- Aluaiy Kaumakan
- Ana Iti
- Anga Art Collective
- Arthur Jafa
- Ayman Zedani
- Okyanus Çağrı Camcı
- Ayumi Paul
- Aziz Hazara
- Bilna’es
- Bint Mbareh
- Brian Martin
- Cannupa Hanska Luger
- Cécile B. Evans
- Chandralekha
- Chun Shao
- Citra Sasmita
- Ciwas Tahos (Anchi Lin)
- Claudia Martínez Garay
- Daniel Boyd
- Dian Suci Rahmawati
- Dilek Winchester
- Doruntina Kastrati
- Driant Zeneli
- Ellen Pau
- Emily Kam Kngwarray
- Emre Hüner
- Fatma Belkıs
- Faye Heavyshield
- Fazal Rizvi
- Fiona Pardington
- Hashel Al Lamki
- Hellen Ascoli
- Heman Chong
- Hugh Hayden
- Hylozoic/Desires
- Ipeh Nur
- John Clang
- Julianknxx
- Kaili Chun
- Kaloki Nyamai
- Kapulani Landgraf
- Kate Crawford
- Vladan Joler
- Kate Newby
- Liu Chuang
- Lorna Simpson
- Luke Willis Thompson
- Maïa Tellit Hawad
- Mabel Juli
- Mahmoud Khaled
- Mangku Muriati
- María José Murillo
- Mariam Alnoaimi
- Marie-Claire Messouma Manlanbien
- M’barek Bouhchichi
- M’hammed Kilito
- Mila Turajlić
- Mohammed Al Hawajri
- Dina Mattar
- Ala Younis
- Mónica de Miranda
- Monira Al Qadiri
- Morris Foit
- Nadia Christidi
- Sary Moussa
- Joseph Kai
- Nadiah Bamadhaj
- Naeem Mohaiemen
- Nasser Al Yousif
- Ndidi Dike
- Nge Lay
- Noémie Goudal
- Olivia Plender
- Onur Gökmen
- Paky Vlassopoulou
- Pallavi Paul
- Pastizal Zamudio
- Andrea Torreblanca
- Photo Kegham – Kegham Djeghalian
- Raafat Majzoub
- Raffaela Naldi Rossano
- Rajyashri Goody
- Reetu Sattar
- Restu Ratnaningtyas
- Richard Bell
- Rita Mawuena Benissan
- Rossella Biscotti
- Roy Samaha
- RRD (Reproduction and Distribution Network)
- Anuar Portugal
- Bruno Ruiz
- Joel Castro
- Laura Muciño
- Sergio Torres
- Rully Shabara
- S M Sultan
- Saffronn Te Ratana
- Sakiya
- Sancintya Mohini Simpson
- Sangdon Kim
- Sarah Abu Abdullah
- Serapis Maritime
- Sevil Tunaboylu
- Shivanjani Lal
- Shubigi Rao
- Singing Wells
- Sky Hopinka
- Stephanie Comilang
- Steven Yazzie
- Subash Thebe Limbu
- Suzanne Lacy
- T. Vinoja
- Tara Al Dughaither
- Te Matahiapo Collective
- The Voice of Domestic Workers x MOI TRAN
- Tishani Doshi
- Viswanadhan
- Vitória Cribb
- Wael Shawky
- Ximena Garrido-Lecca
- Yvonne Koolmatrie
- Zadie Xa
- Ciwas Tahos
- Anchi Lin
- Photo Kegham
- Kegham Djeghalian
- RRD
- Subash ThebeLimbu
- The Voice of Domestic Workers
- MOI TRAN
- Jorge González
Institutions
- Sharjah Biennial
- Sharjah Art Foundation
- Xavier Hufkens
- The Vega Foundation
- Doha Film Institute
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
- Canvas
- Artribune
Locations
- Sharjah
- United Arab Emirates
- Sharjah City
- Al Hamriyah
- Al Dhaid
- Kalba
- Buhais Geological Park
- Al Mureijah Square
- Al Madam
- Kalba Ice Factory
- Mozambique
- Australia
- Brazil
- Papua
- Indonesia
- Iraq
- Libya
- New Zealand
- Canada
- India
- Emirate of Sharjah
- Bahrain
- Peru
- Nigeria
- Italy
- Africa
- Asia
- South America
- Mediterranean Sea
- Atlantic Ocean
- Indian Ocean
- Lagos
- Dakar
- Niger River
- Jebel al Akhdar