Sharjah Art Foundation announces details of Sharjah Biennial 16

Image courtesy of Sharjah Art Foundation

Sharjah Biennial 16: to carry

February 6–June 15, 2025
Sharjah City, Al Hamriyah, Al Dhaid, Kalba, Al Madam, and other locations across the Emirate of Sharjah

The Sharjah Art Foundation has announced the theme, curatorial approach, and participant list for the 16th edition of Sharjah Biennial, which will run from February 6 to June 15, 2025. Titled to carry, this year’s Biennial, curated by Alia Swastika, Amal Khalaf, Megan Tamati-Quennell, Natasha Ginwala, and Zeynep Öz, invites audiences to explore the meanings and implications of what we carry—be it histories, stories, cultures, or futures.

With over 140 participants, including more than 80 new commissions, to carry invites reflection on our shared human experiences of movement, survival, and transition. The Biennial spans a wide range of mediums and approaches, with artworks presented across multiple locations throughout the Emirate of Sharjah, including Sharjah City, Al Hamriyah, Al Dhaid, Kalba, and Al Madam.

The curators explore questions such as: What do we carry when we migrate between territories and across time? What are the burdens and responsibilities we inherit? Through these investigations, Sharjah Biennial 16 reflects on what it means to carry change and the potential of carrying it forward.

According to Hoor Al Qasimi, President and Director of Sharjah Art Foundation, “Sharjah Biennial 16 offers a space for imagining new collective futures while recognising the weight of shared histories and experiences. It creates an opportunity for audiences to engage with thought-provoking dialogues bridging the local context with global narratives about identity, movement, change, and collectivity.”

Participating Artists:

The following artists, collectives, and creators will be participating in Sharjah Biennial 16:

Adam HajYahia; Adelita Husni-Bey; Akinbode Akinbiyi; Akira Ikezoe; Akram Zaatari; Albert Refiti; Alia Farid; Aluaiy Kaumakan; Ana Iti; Anga Art Collective; Arthur Jafa; Ayman Zedani; Ayşe İdil İdil, Betül Aksu, Okyanus Çağrı Camcı with Merve Elveren; Ayumi Paul; Aziz Hazara; Betty Adii with Septina Layan; Bilna’es; Bint Mbareh; Brian Martin; Cannupa Hanska Luger; Cassi Namoda; Cécile B. Evans; Chandralekha; Chun Shao; Citra Sasmita; Ciwas Tahos (Anchi Lin); Claudia Martínez Garay; Concrete Thread Repertoire; Daniel Boyd; Dian Suci Rahmawati; Dilek Winchester; Doruntina Kastrati; Driant Zeneli; Ellen Pau; Emily Kam Kngwarray; Emre Hüner; Fatma Belkıs; Faye Heavyshield; Fazal Rizvi; Fernando Palma Rodríguez; Fiona Pardington; Güneş Terkol; Hashel Al Lamki; Helene Kazan; Hellen Ascoli; Heman Chong; Hugh Hayden; Hylozoic/Desires; Ipeh Nur; Joe Namy; John Clang; Jorge González Santos; Julianknxx; Kaili Chun; Kaloki Nyamai; Kapulani Landgraf; Kate Crawford with Vladan Joler; Kate Newby; Liu Chuang; Lorna Simpson; Luana Vitra; Luke Willis Thompson; Maïa Tellit Hawad; Mabel Juli; Mahmoud Khaled; Mangku Muriati; Mara TK; María José Murillo; Mariam Alnoaimi; Marie-Claire Messouma Manlanbien; M’barek Bouhchichi; Megan Cope; M’hammed Kilito; Michael Parekōwhai; Mila Turajlić; Mohammed Al Hawajri, Dina Mattar and family with Ala Younis; Mónica de Miranda; Monira Al Qadiri; Morris Foit; Nadia Christidi with Sary Moussa and Joseph Kai; Nadiah Bamadhaj; Naeem Mohaiemen; Nasser Al Yousif; Ndidi Dike; Nge Lay; Noémie Goudal; Olivia Plender; Onur Gökmen; Paky Vlassopoulou; Pallavi Paul; Pastizal Zamudio with Andrea Torreblanca; Photo Kegham – Kegham Djeghalian; Pratchaya Phinthong; Raafat Majzoub; Raffaela Naldi Rossano; Rajni Perera; Rajyashri Goody; Raven Chacon; Reetu Sattar; Restu Ratnaningtyas; Richard Bell; Risham Syed; Rita Mawuena Benissan; Rossella Biscotti; Roy Samaha; RRD (Reproduction and Distribution Network); Rully Shabara; S M Sultan; Saffronn Te Ratana; Sakiya; Salima Hakim; Sancintya Mohini Simpson; Sangdon Kim; Sarah Abu Abdullah; Serapis Maritime; Sevil Tunaboylu; Shivanjani Lal; Shubigi Rao; Singing Wells; Sky Hopinka; Stephanie Comilang; Steven Yazzie; Subash Thebe Limbu; Suzanne Lacy; T. Vinoja; Tara Al Dughaither; Te Matahiapo Collective; The Voice of Domestic Workers x MOI TRAN; Tishani Doshi; Viswanadhan; Vitória Cribb; Wael Shawky; Womanifesto; Ximena Garrido-Lecca; Yhonnie Scarce; Yim Yen Sum; Yvonne Koolmatrie; Zadie Xa.

Sharjah Biennial 16 offers an unprecedented opportunity for audiences to engage with diverse voices and experiences from across the globe, imagining new collective futures while acknowledging shared histories and responsibilities.

For the full curatorial statement, visit Sharjah Art Foundation’s website.