Artistic Curation That Transcends Borders

Amin Jaffer is deeply committed to exploring the profound interconnectedness of artistic traditions and human creativity across cultures, borders, and centuries. Samreen Tungekar finds out about his current and forthcoming projects

- Samreen Tungekar

Amin Jaffer-MUSEUM DIRECTOR & ART CURATOR

Tell us about the upcoming Islamic Arts Biennale. What can we expect?

The 2025 Islamic Arts Biennale is titled And all that is in between, a phrase from the Qur'an that invites exploration of the realms beyond our immediate sensory perception. The exhibition will showcase over 500 selected historic works of art sourced from institutions and collections from all over the world in juxtaposition with creations by contemporary artists.

Through five large galleries, visitors will experience a journey through historical and contemporary works, revealing unbroken threads of creativity, spiritual inquiry, and the perpetual human search for deeper existential truths.

With this biennale, what do you think of the representation of Islamic arts in the world today?

The Islamic Arts Biennale dispels the notion that contemporary expression is a novel phenomenon within Islamic cultures. What is new is the increasing presence of cultural platforms committed to representing Islamic expressions of culture and art today. Saudi Arabia has distinguished itself as a center for this, with the Islamic Arts Biennale functioning as a hub of dialogue. What we're witnessing is not merely a regional artistic narrative, but a sophisticated, borderless discourse among artists who are inspired by Islamic creative expression, representing diverse global contexts.

While many Western societies have experienced profound secularisation, faith remains a nuanced and dynamic framework through which artists interpret and engage with contemporary complexities. This is not a paradox, but rather a testament to a sophisticated engagement with spirituality that resonates deeply with our current moment.