Hamra Abbas participates in the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2024 with 'Mountain 5', the largest artwork in a series of mosaic panels depicting the world's second highest mountain – K2.
Based on a drawing by the artist, 'Mountain 5' was created by cutting and joining lapis lazuli stone, fixing it to a granite base during the inlay process, and polishing it to reveal the final image – a striking landscape and, for the artist, a space of contemplation and harmony.
The 2024 edition of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale takes place in the JAX District in Diriyah, a town adjacent to the capital city of Riyadh and home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif. The curatorial team of the 2024 Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale is led by globally renowned curator Ute Meta Bauer as Artistic Director, with Co-Curators: Wejdan Reda (SA), Anca Rujoiu (RO) and Rose Lejeune (UK), and with Adjunct Curator Rahul Gudipudi (IN). Together, they bring experiences and insights from diverse geographic backgrounds, extending the Biennale exhibition with artistic formats such as performance, sound, research-based practices, and digital forms.
Symbolizing renewal and revitalization, the title of the exhibition draws inspiration from the earthy scent that follows rainfall. 'After Rain' convenes multiple generations of artists who are engaged with investigating the complex history of the region, sustaining the human-nature continuum, examining the built environment, observing the state of the surrounding landscapes, and encouraging us tolisten more closely. Some of these artistic explorations involve writers and poets, botanists, architects, scientists, planners, and chefs.
The second edition of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale is on view until 24 May 2024.
