Desert X AlUla 2026 marks the fourth edition of the site-specific, open-air art exhibition located in the ancient desert region of AlUla in northwest Saudi Arabia. This year, the exhibition runs from January 16 to February 28, serving as a cornerstone of the wider AlUla Arts Festival.
The 2026 theme, Space Without Measure, takes its inspiration from the poetic writings of Lebanese-American author Kahlil Gibran. This conceptual framework encourages participating artists and visitors to reflect on the boundless nature of the human spirit, the fluidity of perception, and the infinite horizons of the desert.
The exhibition first launched in 2020 as a collaboration between Desert X, founded in California’s Coachella Valley, and the Royal Commission for AlUla. It was established as the first public art biennial in the region, designed to foster cultural exchange by placing contemporary works in direct dialogue with the area’s unique geology and heritage. Since its inception, the project has commissioned over 50 works, several of which have become part of the permanent public art collection in the region. Featuring a diverse group of global and local artists across various generations, each presenting site-specific installations that engage with the region’s distinct heritage and natural environment.
Under the theme of 'Space Without Measure', the fourth edition of this open-air exhibition will be led by artistic directors Neville Wakefield and Raneem Farsi, who have been central to the project since its inception. The curation team is headed by Wejdan Reda and Zoé Whitley; and their selection features 10 newly commissioned works by a multigenerational group of Saudi and international artists.
The 2026 lineup includes prominent names such as Agnes Denes, Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons, Tarek Atoui, and Ibrahim El-Salahi. Saudi talent is represented by artists including Sara Abdu, Mohammad Alfaraj, and Basmah Felemban, whose work Murmur of Pebbles is revisited for this edition. Other participating artists include Mohammed AlSaleem, Vibha Galhotra, and Héctor Zamora.
Situated primarily within the striking terrain of Wadi AlFann, or Valley of the Arts, the installations utilise diverse materials and mediums, from sound corridors to monumental kinetic sculptures. By integrating these works into the sandstone cliffs and oasis valleys, the exhibition continues its mission to bridge the gap between ancient history and contemporary creative expression.
Desert X AlUla, from January 16 to February 28, 2026
Wadi Al Fann & Valley of the Arts, AlUla
desertx.org
