The who's-who of the art world has descended upon Italy for the opening of the 61st edition of the International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia.
AlUla Arts celebrates the participation of Saudi Arabian artists in the lauded biennale, each showcase marking a profound testament to Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning cultural influence. This year, the Kingdom’s participation is defined by a sense of scale and deep emotional resonance, centred around a monumental new commission at the Saudi National Pavilion and the significant presence of over 20 artists whose journeys are inextricably linked to the AlUla Arts ecosystem.
Inside the Saudi Pavilion
Occupying the entire floor of the Saudi National Pavilion at the historic Arsenale, Saudi-Palestinian artist Dana Awartani has unveiled her latest work, titled 'May your tears never dry, you who weep over stones.' Curated by Antonia Carver with assistant curator Hafsa Alkhudairi, the impressive installation is a result of exhaustive research into 23 heritage sites across the Arab world that have been subjected to damage or conflict in recent years.
The work is a marvel of materiality and collective effort. Created over nearly 30,000 artisan hours, Awartani collaborated with 32 artisans in a studio outside Riyadh to produce over 29,000 sunbaked clay bricks. Using four distinct hues of earth sourced from across the Kingdom and fashioned without binding agents, the resulting mosaic floor reflects a shared cultural geometry that transcends modern borders.
“These sites are not merely stones – they are vessels that carry our stories and identities across time,” stated Awartani. “The work is a composite of many sites that are and have been under attack, and which hold significant shared histories that surpass contemporary borders." Commissioned by the Visual Arts Commission under the Ministry of Culture, and marking its fifth participation in the Venice Biennale, the Saudi Pavilion and its accompanying programs invite visitors to explore the intersections of memory, loss, and cultural continuity.
Dina Amin, CEO of the Visual Arts Commission, noted the significance of the new commission: “The national pavilion of Saudi Arabia in Venice creates a platform for the leading artistic voices of our time, and is an integral part of our support and celebration of the visual arts landscape within Saudi Arabia across local, regional and global contexts. This new commission has enabled Dana to create a work of greater concept, size, and intricacy than ever before.”
AlUla’s Global Footprint
This edition of the Biennale also highlights the international reach of AlUla Arts. More than 20 Saudi and international artists participating in Venice—across national pavilions, institutional exhibitions, and independent programs — have been shaped by AlUla’s festivals, residencies, and cultural initiatives. This strong showing reflects AlUla’s growing role in the global creative ecosystem, providing a platform where artists draw inspiration from the region's unique natural environment and social heritage to engage in a broader international dialogue.
The 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia is open to the public from May 9 until November 22, 2026
Ticket prices start from €30 per person, guided tours and group rates are also available
Buy your tickets here
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