Nora Razian and Sabih Ahmed appointed artistic directors for 2026 Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale
The Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, a premier platform for contemporary art in Saudi Arabia, continues to gain global recognition.
Razian and Ahmed, both distinguished figures in the art world, bring extensive experience in curatorial practices, cross-cultural dialogue, and innovative exhibition strategies.
Razian and Ahmed's curatorial approach will center on themes of resilience, world-making, and the transmission of histories and knowledge over time.
Their vision for the 2026 Biennale aims to explore artistic interventions, archives, and participatory models that reimagine the future while reflecting on the past.
"We are honored to lead the third edition of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale," said Razian and Ahmed."This Biennale is rapidly establishing itself as a major global platform for contemporary art, and we envision a program that fosters vibrant artistic imaginations, rooted in diverse histories and knowledge systems."The 2026 Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale will be hosted at JAX District, a creative hub in the historic town of Diriyah, home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif.Featuring works from Saudi and international artists, the Biennale will continue its mission of fostering dialogue and engagement within the local and global art communities.Following the success of previous editions, Feeling the Stones (2022) and After Rain (2024) — which attracted over 340,000 visitors — the upcoming edition will further enhance Saudi Arabia's role as a global center for contemporary art and creative exchange.Nora Razian, currently Deputy Director and Head of Exhibitions at Art Jameel, has led major curatorial projects at institutions including the Tate in London, Sursock Museum in Beirut, and Jameel Arts Centre in Dubai and Jeddah.She specializes in interdisciplinary art programs that address climate change, archaeology, and contemporary cultural narratives.Sabih Ahmed, a curator, theorist, and educator, has held leadership roles at Ishara Art Foundation in Dubai and Asia Art Archive.His work maps modern and contemporary art across Asia, engaging with archives, artist collaborations, and cultural research.The Diriyah Biennale Foundation, led by CEO Aya Al-Bakree, is instrumental in Saudi Arabia's cultural transformation, to developing the arts and creative economy.Al-Bakree commented: "Razian and Ahmed bring deep expertise in fostering artistic and curatorial exchanges between Eastern and Western Asia. Their leadership will be crucial in positioning Saudi Arabia as a dynamic force in contemporary art." — SG
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leaders
2 days ago
- Leaders
Manga Productions Signs Deal to Launch ‘Sonic' Game in Middle East
Manga Productions has signed a publishing and distribution agreement with Japanese company Sega to launch the popular game Sonic Racing: Crossworlds for MENA audiences, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The Saudi company will collaborate with Sega to deploy the game in the Middle East and North Africa region. The cooperation will also include invaluable opportunities for Saudi talent to take part in the publishing process, as well as marketing the game. Interestingly, the game offers extensive vehicle customization options when it comes to appearance and performance, as well as items granting special abilities that impact gameplay style. Moreover, it supports online multiplayer, so that players can compete globally, climb leaderboards and earn exclusive rewards. The game features a record-breaking roster of 23 characters, with plans set to expand further through post-launch updates. Such updates will boast characters such as Hatsune Miku, Joker from Persona 5 Royal, Ichiban Kasuga from Like a Dragon, along with popular characters from franchises such as Minecraft and SpongeBob SquarePants, among others. Through more than 70 types of items, players can customize their strategies as each item provides different skills and features. The game supports online multiplayer with a co-op feature, where up to 12 players can compete. Essam Bukhary, CEO of Manga Productions, stated that the company has successfully established strategic partnerships that have played a central role in advancing the creative content industry in the Kingdom and across the region. Related Topics: Manga Productions Boosts Japanese Collaboration for Riyadh Season Japan's Minister Praises Manga Productions Creativity Saudi Manga Productions Premiere 'The Journey' Movie in Chinese Short link : Post Views: 8
Arab News
6 days ago
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia's Ithra launches open call for $100,000 art prize
DHAHRAN: Artists across the region are invited to apply for the Ithra Art Prize, with $100,000 up for grabs and the chance to have their work displayed at one of the Middle East's leading cultural institutions. The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) announced the open call for the seventh edition, with the head of the museum calling it one of area's 'most generous and influential' art grants. Artists from across the Arab world can submit their proposals via the Ithra website, with a deadline of Oct. 16. This edition will also, for the first time, recognize five finalists with production grants. Their work, along with the winning commission, will be exhibited at Ithra's headquarters in spring 2026. Launched in 2017, the prize initially focused on Saudi and Saudi-based artists but was expanded in its fourth edition to include contemporary artists of Arab heritage across 22 countries. Farah Abushullaih, Ithra's head of museum, told Arab News it served as 'an open invitation to artists to speak in their own voice.' She said: 'We're looking for proposals that reflect depth, authenticity and a clear vision. What stands out is work that is intellectually grounded and emotionally resonant.' Both new commissions and re-contextualized existing works are accepted, provided they are closely linked to the artist's ongoing research and creative trajectory. Applicants must be aged 18 or older and of Arab heritage or residing in one of the 22 Arab countries. Both individual artists and collectives may apply. 'The prize is about expanding the region's cultural conversations through bold, original ideas. Ithra is committed to supporting them every step of the way, from conception to creation and beyond,' said Abushullaih. The Ithra Art Prize has played a pivotal role in advancing contemporary art from the region since its inception. Past winners have displayed their works at leading cultural events including Art Dubai, the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale and the AlUla Arts Festival. Abushullaih said: 'Ithra continually evolves its programs to reflect the changing artistic landscape and needs of the Kingdom and the region. In the case of the Ithra Art Prize, this goes beyond funding; we offer a platform for dialogue, critical thinking and meaningful cultural exchange.' She added sustaining this impact was an ongoing commitment. 'It requires long-term investment in artists' development, authentic community engagement and creating opportunities for works to resonate, both locally and globally. We want Ithra to be a meeting place for cultures to interact, share, and grow,' she said. Looking ahead, Ithra is already in discussions to present the winner's work beyond Dhahran. 'Partnerships and collaborations have always been central to how we develop our programs and extend the reach of the artists we support,' said Abushullaih. 'We are in dialogue with institutions based in Saudi Arabia and internationally to explore ways for the seventh edition of the prize to be seen by a wider audience and experienced in new contexts beyond Ithra.'
Leaders
7 days ago
- Leaders
CDF Explores Culture's Power to Inspire, Educate at Expo 2025 Osaka
The Cultural Development Fund (CDF) has held a dialogue session during its participation in Saudi Arabia's pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Titled 'The Art of Play: Integrating Culture into Learning Environments,' the session brough together various Saudi cultural institutions backed by the fund to highlight culture's power to inspire and educate. Thus, the event delved into the pivotal role of culture and artificial intelligence technologies in supporting learning. Held as part of the Learning and Play Week at Expo 2025 Osaka, the session highlighted how culture strengthens knowledge, promotes its exchange, and serves as a source of inspiration. Moreover, it noted the vital role of cultural institutions in elevating quality of life and enriching communities. Therefore, it perfectly aligned with the fund's broader effort to empower cultural entrepreneurs and showcase their innovative projects on a global stage. Interestingly, the session provided Cultural Fund beneficiaries with a global platform to present their success stories as part of the Fund's ongoing empowerment journey. Overall, the fund's presence at Expo 2025 Osaka mirrors its dedication to highlighting the Kingdom's authentic cultural identity and its transformative journey in line with Saudi Vision 2030. Cultural Exchange Program The Saudi Pavilion has recently unveiled its cultural exchange program amid a growing number of visitors that surpassed a million since its inauguration in April. Through an interactive module, the program will provide visiting international staff with a comprehensive on-site induction training on Saudi culture. The training features significant topics related to occupational health and safety, an overview of the pavilion's operational objectives, as well as specialized site-specific training, such as visitor experience management. The pavilion, designed by Foster + Partners, features the Kingdom's unparalleled heritage and cultural aspects. Being the second largest pavilion after Japan, the Saudi pavilion boasts more than 700 events, including dance shows and live performances. Through interactive events, the pavilion highlights the Kingdom's transformative journey and its technological breakthroughs in line with Vision 2030. Related Topics: Culture Minister Inaugurates Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka Saudi Arabia Launches Culture Week at Expo 2025 Osaka Saudi Pavilion Welcomes 1 mln Visitors at Expo 2025 Osaka Short link : Post Views: 8
