Desert X AlUla 2026 opens monumental land art exhibition in Saudi Arabia’s ancient oasis

International

The fourth edition of the international open-air biennial brings 11 leading artists to AlUla, transforming desert landscapes into a global platform for site-responsive art

Desert X AlUla 2026 has officially opened in AlUla, marking the fourth edition of the international land art exhibition and reinforcing the region’s growing role on the global cultural stage. Presented by Arts AlUla in collaboration with Desert X, the open-air biennial invites visitors to experience large-scale installations, sculptures, and sound-based works set directly within AlUla’s dramatic desert canyons and archaeological landscape.

As the first public art biennale in the region and a flagship event of the AlUla Arts Festival, Desert X AlUla positions the ancient oasis as an emerging international destination for contemporary land art, where natural heritage and artistic experimentation intersect.

Eleven artists, one landscape

The 2026 edition brings together 11 Saudi and international artists representing multiple generations and artistic traditions. Their commissions range from monumental kinetic sculptures to immersive installations and sound works that unfold above and below ground. Each project is conceived in direct response to AlUla’s environment, geology, and layered history, reinforcing Desert X AlUla’s reputation as a leading platform for site-responsive art practices.

Participating artists include Sara Abdu, Mohammad Alfaraj, Mohammed AlSaleem, Tarek Atoui, Bahraini-Danish, Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons, Agnes Denes, Ibrahim El-Salahi, Basmah Felemban, Vibha Galhotra, and Héctor Zamora.

Theme and curatorial vision

Running until 28 February 2026, Desert X AlUla is curated by Wejdan Reda and Zoé Whitley, with artistic direction by Neville Wakefield and Raneem Farsi. The exhibition is framed by the theme “Space Without Measure,” inspired by the writings of Kahlil Gibran. The concept invites reflection on imagination, scale, and perception within AlUla’s vast natural settings, encouraging visitors to engage with the desert not only as a backdrop, but as an active participant in the artistic dialogue.

The exhibition also serves as a pre-opening programme for Wadi AlFann, offering an early insight into AlUla’s long-term ambition to establish a permanent “Valley of the Arts” dedicated to large-scale land art.

Art, heritage, and global ambition

“At Desert X AlUla 2026, audiences will engage with art that deeply converses with AlUla's unique landscapes and rich heritage,” said Hamad Alhomiedan, Director of Arts & Creative Industries at the Royal Commission for AlUla. “These compelling commissions highlight AlUla’s dynamic transformation into a major global destination, where ancient and contemporary expressions converge.”

With Desert X AlUla 2026, AlUla continues to expand its cultural programme, positioning itself within the international discourse on contemporary art while drawing on the depth of its natural and historical heritage.