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AWWAL BAIT –ISLAMIC ARTS BIENNALE 2023
Over 60 established and emerging artists from around the globe, including over 60 new commissions, 280 artefacts, more than 15 never-before-exhibited works of art and a unique multisensorial experience, under the artistic direction of Sumayya Vally are among the highlights of the first edition of the Islamic Arts
FAME: Andy Warhol in AlUla
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Iconic works by one of the world’s most recognised artists, Andy Warhol, are now in the region for the first time and on show at AlUla’s award-winning Maraya venue. Arts AlUla, an organisation dedicated to promoting contemporary art and culture in the Arabian desert, is presenting ‘FAME: Andy Warhol in AlUla’ as a major new showcase of the artist’s iconic work, under the umbrella of its visual arts programme, which includes land art commissions and artist residencies. This exhibition is not only a unique opportunity for visitors to experience Warhol’s art in a new and exciting context, against the backdrop of the Arabian desert, but also further demonstration of the region’s commitment to supporting contemporary art and culture. The exhibition runs until May 16.
Biennale. Themed ‘Awwal Bait’, and running until April 23, the event is being held at the historic Western Hajj Terminal in Jeddah, considered the gateway to Makkah.
The theme of ‘Awwal Bait’ (meaning First House in Arabic) draws its inspiration from the Holy Ka’bah in Makkah, the most sacred site in Islam. The Ka’aba and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah are the direction that all Muslims face in their daily prayers, creating a sense of belonging in their homes, or their ‘bait,’ wherever that may be. The theme aims to explore how these sacred sites inspire Muslims worldwide on both cultural and metaphysical levels.
By bringing together established and emerging artists to explore the cultural and metaphysical significance of the Awwal
Bait, the event invites visitors to engage with the resulting artworks and installations, reflecting on the themes of belonging and connection through the lens of Islamic art and culture.
