The Diriyah Biennale Foundation announced the appointment of an expanded curatorial team and the official opening date for the third edition of the Contemporary Art Biennale, which will take place in the JAX District of Diriyah on January 30, 2026.
The third edition is led by Artistic Directors Nora Razian, Deputy Director and Head of Exhibitions and Programs at Art Jameel in Dubai and Jeddah; and Sabih Ahmed, a curator, cultural theorist, and educator serving as Projects Advisor at the Ishara Art Foundation in Dubai.
They are joined by a team of international curators, consisting of Maan Abu Taleb, May Makki, Kabelo Malatsie, and Lantian Xie.
Milan-based architect Sammy Zarka has been appointed as Associate Architect and Exhibition Designer to collaborate closely with the curatorial team.
Bringing together expertise that spans contemporary art, critical theory, music, architecture, and performance, the team reflects the Biennale’s commitment to introducing new curatorial perspectives and strengthening connections in Saudi Arabia, across the Gulf region, and beyond.
Collectively, the artistic directors and curators bring experience from leading institutions including Art Jameel; Asia Art Archive; Kunsthalle Bern; the Museum of Modern Art, New York; and Ma3azef, as well as contributions to landmark exhibitions such as the Sharjah Biennial, the Shanghai Biennale, the Venice Biennale, the Yokohama Triennale, and the Dhaka Art Summit.
The Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale will once again be held in the JAX District, a creative quarter with industrial heritage in the historic town of Diriyah, near Riyadh.
The 15-hectare site hosts artists’ studios, exhibition venues, and the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale. For its third edition, the Biennale will extend into the JAX District, activating newly opened spaces and weaving Biennale events throughout.
“This curatorial team brings together a wide range of voices shaped by different disciplines, ranging from music and performance to literature and architecture,” said Aya Al-Bakree, CEO of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation. “Their experience demonstrates the evolving role of contemporary art as a space of exchange, and I hope to see that this will open new pathways for artists and audiences in Saudi Arabia.”
Featuring work by artists from Saudi Arabia and around the world, the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale explores the role of contemporary art in a country that is undergoing rapid social change.
Building on the success of two previous editions (Feeling the Stones, curated by Philip Tinari in 2022, and After Rain, curated by Ute Meta Bauer in 2024), which together welcomed over 340,000 visitors, this edition will continue to foster dialogue between local and international artists, curators, and art enthusiasts.
