Riyadh —The Diriyah Biennale Foundation has announced details of the third edition of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, set to take place at JAX District in Riyadh from January 30 to May 2026 under the theme “In Motion.”
The biennale will officially open on Thursday with a ceremony attended by artists, cultural figures, and members of the media. Opening speeches will be delivered by Aya Al Bakri, Chief Executive Officer of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, as well as artistic directors Nora Razian and Sabih Ahmed.
More than 65 artists from Saudi Arabia, the region, and across the world will participate in the 2026 edition, representing over 37 countries. The programme includes more than 22 newly commissioned artworks, forming an exhibition that explores movement, sound, memory, and imagination through a wide range of artistic practices.
In addition to the main exhibition, the biennale will present a series of specially designed installations, curated products, and public programmes aimed at encouraging cultural exchange and creative engagement. All works have been produced on commission by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation in collaboration with artists, musicians, filmmakers, architects, and writers.
Participating artists from Saudi Arabia and the Arab world include Shadia Alem, Lulwah Al Homoud, Amina Saud, Ismail Bahri, Nouf Al Harithi, Hazem Harb, Samia Halaby, Mohammed Al Hamidan, Yazan Khalili, Ayman Yossri, Abdullah Al Saadi, Faisal Samra, Ruba Al Soweil, Afra Al Dhaheri, Rand Abdul Jabbar, Lin Ajlan, Etel Adnan, Ahd Al Amoudi, Rahima Gambo, Mohammed Al Ghamdi, Abdulkarim Qassim, Rami Al Qthami, Noor Mubarak, Hussein Nassereddine, Nancy Mounir, Aziz Hazara, Elias Sime, Kamala Ibrahim Ishaq, and Elias Alawi, among others.
The event coincides with a broader programme of cultural activities across JAX District. In parallel with the biennale’s opening, organisers will also launch “JAX Flavors,” a new initiative dedicated to culinary arts, aimed at supporting chefs and local entrepreneurs. Together, these initiatives reinforce the district’s position as a multidisciplinary cultural hub bringing together art, design, music, fashion, and gastronomy.
Established by the Saudi Ministry of Culture in 2020, the Diriyah Biennale Foundation is a non-profit cultural organisation tasked with delivering biennial exhibitions on a rotating basis between the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale in Riyadh and the Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah, alongside a year-round programme designed to broaden public participation in Saudi Arabia’s cultural scene.
Commenting on the upcoming edition, Aya Al Bakri said the biennale reflects the diversity of contemporary artistic practice, bringing together voices from different generations, regions, and disciplines. She added that the foundation looks forward to welcoming audiences to an experience that highlights multiple perspectives and narratives.
