Diriyah Biennale 2026 Explores Movement and Heritage Through Saudi Performance and Global Art
The third Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, titled 'In Interludes and Transitions', commenced in Riyadh's JAX District, highlighted by a performance from Saudi artist Mohammed AlHamdan (7amdan). His piece 'Folding the Tents' (2026) incorporated Toyota LC79 trucks, festive participants, and a performance by rapper Shab Shabjdeed. Curated by Nora Razian and Sabih Ahmed, the event showcases approximately 70 artists and 20 new commissions across five warehouses, divided into six thematic sections. Among the standout pieces is Saudi artist Ruba Al Sweel's video 'Machine Tongues' (2026), along with a presentation by Kayfa Ta featuring pioneers of new media. The biennale will continue until May 2, 2026, and will be featured in the Spring 2026 edition of ArtReview Asia, which emphasizes regional themes.
Key facts
- The third Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale is titled 'In Interludes and Transitions' (Arabic: fil hil wal-terhal).
- It is curated by Nora Razian and Sabih Ahmed.
- The exhibition features around 70 artists and 20 commissions.
- It is held at JAX District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, through May 2, 2026.
- The opening performance 'Folding the Tents' (2026) is by Saudi artist Mohammed AlHamdan (7amdan).
- The biennale includes six thematic movements, with the last focusing on music and poetry.
- Saudi Vision 2030, a government initiative launched in 2016, is referenced in the 'A Forest of Echoes' section.
- The review appears in the Spring 2026 issue of ArtReview Asia.
Entities
Artists
- Mohammed AlHamdan
- 7amdan
- Shab Shabjdeed
- Daniel Lind Ramos
- Trương Công Tùng
- Mohammed Al Ghamdi
- Elias Sime
- Ruba Al Sweel
- Bin Hattan
- Salim Badawi
- Fai Ahmed
- Ali Majnooni
- Bady Dalloul
- Elyas Alavi
- Mügg Yilmaz
- Rajesh Chaitya Vangad
- Moshekwa Langa
- Gala Porras-Kim
- Karan Shestra
- Taysir Batanji
- Lulua Alyahya
- Philip Tinari
Institutions
- Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale
- Art Jameel
- Ishara Art Foundation
- Kayfa Ta
- ArtReview Asia
Locations
- Riyadh
- Saudi Arabia
- Dubai
- United Arab Emirates
- Amman
- Jordan
- Cairo
- Egypt
- Beijing
- China
- Puerto Rico
- Vietnam
- Ethiopia
- Afghanistan
- Australia
- Turkey
- South Africa
- Colombia
- Korea
- United States
- Nepal
- Palestine
- Gaza