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4 Apr 2025
The annual delicacy for each art lover is back in town. The 16th edition of the Sharjah Biennial (SB16), themed to carry, promises to be an unmissable experience for art lovers. Running from February 6 to June 15, 2025, this year’s edition features nearly 200 participants and over 650 works, spanning diverse disciplines, installations, and thought-provoking commissions. If you are making your way from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to immerse yourself in this art spectacle, here is the ultimate guide to making the most of your visit.
The curatorial idea behind this edition is concisely named — to carry. It explores the act of bearing histories, memories, and futures across geographies and generations. It reflects on what we hold when we move, remain, or survive, addressing migration, resistance, inheritance, and transformation.
Curated by Alia Swastika, Amal Khalaf, Megan Tamati-Quennell, Natasha Ginwala, and Zeynep Öz, the Biennial weaves together artistic voices that challenge dominant narratives and create spaces for collective wayfinding.
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Through installations, performances, and interdisciplinary practices, SB16 becomes a threshold for experiments and collaborations, where tenderness and rage coexist, and where art serves as a means of storytelling, connection, and resilience.
Getting to Sharjah from Dubai & Abu Dhabi
From Dubai
By car: The most efficient route is via E11 (Sheikh Zayed Road) or E311 (Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road), reaching Sharjah in about 30–40 minutes, depending on traffic.
By public transport: The E306 bus from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Dubai arrives at Al Jubail Bus Station in Sharjah, offering a budget-friendly alternative.
From Abu Dhabi
By car: A direct drive via E11 will take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
By public transport: Intercity buses connect Abu Dhabi to Dubai, from where travelers can transfer to a Dubai-to-Sharjah bus. This option, while feasible, may require extra time due to transfers.
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Exploring the Artistic Hubs of SB16
Sharjah Biennial turns the city itself into an open-air museum, with installations transforming historic sites and modern spaces alike. One can literally walk down the street and stumble upon what seems a normal house yet is an art installation inside-out.
To be honest, SB16 has an enormous amount of locations, you may find them all here.
But, exploring Sharjah, favourite locations of this author are Old Al Jubail Vegetable Market with an unforgettable atmosphere and free postcards with pics by different photo-artists. And the Bait Al Serkal with the loveliest internal garden and a whole labyrinth of art pieces, where you can find everything from the cutest textile works to the immersive video experiences. Make sure to visit these.
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But as of the key spots to have a look at:
Sharjah Art Foundation Spaces
Located in the heart of the Art and Heritage Areas, the Sharjah Art Foundation is the central hub of SB16. The interconnected galleries and open-air spaces house some of the Biennial’s most compelling installations, featuring a mix of avant-garde contemporary pieces and culturally rooted works. Walking through these spaces allows one to experience the intersection of art and heritage, where restored Emirati houses provide a setting for modern artistic narratives.
Bait Al Serkal
As already mentioned — the favourite of this author. Nestled within the historic Heart of Sharjah district, Bait Al Serkal is a 19th-century former residence that has been repurposed into a dynamic exhibition space. The grandeur of its high ceilings and traditional courtyards provides an evocative setting for contemporary art, creating a dialogue between past and present. Don’t forget to be a kid and sew your name on the cloth-piece in one of the rooms! Find this author’s weirs “LOVE” sign sewer there as well.
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The Flying Saucer
An architectural landmark dating back to 1978, The Flying Saucer is an emblem of Sharjah’s modernist history. Originally a café and later a supermarket, it has been transformed into an experimental art space. The circular concrete structure, with its distinct UFO-like dome, now hosts immersive exhibitions, screenings, and talks as part of SB16. People will find themselves enveloped in a space that merges brutalist aesthetics with contemporary creativity. If you liked this text — you will enjoy the building for sure.
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Kalba Ice Factory
For those willing to venture beyond the city center, the Kalba Ice Factory presents one of the most striking exhibition venues of the Biennial. Once a fish feed mill and ice storage facility, this massive industrial space has been reimagined as a setting for large-scale art installations. The rawness of the factory’s vast interiors, juxtaposed with ambitious contemporary artworks, creates a powerful dialogue between space and artistic intent. A drive to Kalba also offers a chance to explore Sharjah’s eastern coastline, providing a scenic contrast to the urban exhibitions.
Al Hamriyah Studios
Situated near the coast, Al Hamriyah Studios offer a more intimate experience of SB16. This venue, designed with minimalistic architecture, is a quiet retreat where visitors can engage with video installations, multimedia projects, and experimental works. The proximity to the waterfront adds to its contemplative atmosphere, making it an ideal location for those looking to escape the intensity of larger exhibition spaces.
Here is the Google map with all necessary pins for your convenience!
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Where to have a bite
Art appreciation is best complemented by moments of reflection and hedonism — Sharjah’s café culture provides the perfect setting for this.
Fen Café & Restaurant, located within the Sharjah Art Foundation, offers a curated selection of artisanal dishes and specialty coffee. The tranquil courtyard setting makes it a favorite spot for visitors looking to unwind. Disclaimer: cat zone! Get that kleenex with you and pet all cats you see!
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For those seeking expertly brewed coffee, Ratios Coffee provides a minimalist yet inviting atmosphere, where quality beans take center stage. Meanwhile, Paper Fig offers an array of desserts and light bites in a stylish setting, making it a popular stop for those looking to indulge between gallery visits.
Be the best version of yourself (pun on “Substance” (2024) of course), as the modern logline says — eat all the sweets you like, have a cup of coffee and enjoy arts throughout the whole day!
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Planning your visit around key events
Beyond its exhibitions, SB16 features an engaging programme of performances, talks, and interactive installations. Last month, the March Meeting took place, and in April we look forward to April Acts (April 18–20, 2025) — A weekend of performances, live art installations, and experimental storytelling, bringing an interactive dimension to the Biennial.
As the Biennial unfolds, each visit promises to be a journey of discovery — an opportunity to witness the UAE’s evolving art scene in one of its most culturally rich emirates.
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