ArtDayME: Dana Awartani, a Saudi artist of Palestinian heritage, has been selected to show a newly commissioned work in the central pavilion at the upcoming Venice Biennale Arte 2024, which runs from April 20 to Nov. 24.

Awartani is known for drawing inspiration from Islamic art and its intricate language of geometric abstraction to make works that are philosophically deep and rich reflections of Arab culture.

The production of the new work, which will be revealed during the biennale’s opening week, has been fully funded by Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Biennale Foundation as part of its mission to provide a platform for local artists to engage in a global conversation.

To achieve these aims, the DBF works to commission artworks and foster connections between Saudi Arabia’s art scene and institutions, artists and various international audiences.

^{I Went Away and Forgot You. A While Ago I Remembered. I Remembered Iʼd Forgotten You. I Was Dreaming, 2017, Mixed media installation with sand and natural pigments, single-channel video, with no sound, 22 minutes.}

“I am extremely honored to be invited to participate in the Venice Biennale, and I have been working on my newly commissioned artwork for the biennale over the past nine months,” Awartani told Arab News on Tuesday. “I am also very grateful that the Diriyah Biennale Foundation are supporting my participation, which as a result, has given me the opportunity to focus on creating a highly ambitious new project.”

Awartani, who exhibited her work at the inaugural edition of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale in 2021, was subsequently included in the 16th Lyon Contemporary Art Biennale in 2022, and the Sharjah Biennial 15 in 2023.

Her work “Come, Let Me Heal Your Wounds” and her film “Listen To My Words” were also included in the second edition of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale titled “After Rain,” which was curated by Ute Meta Bauer and opened on Feb. 20, 2024.

Aya Al Bakree, CEO of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, commented on the announcement, saying: “Supporting artists is central to our ambition at the Diriyah Biennale Foundation. Dana contributed with one of the most rigorous and compelling works in our past biennales and we are incredibly proud to have supported Dana in achieving deserved international recognition, this time at the central exhibition of the Venice Biennale. We look forward to continue supporting our country's artists and help them contribute creatively to global artistic practice at this scale."

^{Come, let me heal your wounds. Let me mend your broken bones, as we stand here mourning, 2019, darning on medicinally dyed silk, 630 cm x 720 cm x 300 cm}

Awartani’s works include drawings of geometric patterns as well as rich textile works and multi-media installations — all of which reflect on Arab culture, craftsmanship and history.

Titled “Stranieri Ovunque - Foreigners Everywhere,” the 60th Venice Biennale Arte is being curated by Adriano Pedrosa. The DBF commission is separate from Saudi Arabia’s national pavilion at the event, which will showcase a solo exhibition by artist Manal Al-Dowayan.