Bukhara Biennial 2025: A Cultural Convergence of Art, Craft, and Healing
Launching on September 5, 2025, the Bukhara Biennial is set to become a groundbreaking addition to the global art calendar, blending interdisciplinary approaches and deep cultural significance. Situated in the historic city of Bukhara—a crucial hub of intellectual and economic activity on the Silk Roads—the biennial promises to ignite a rich dialogue between local tradition and global contemporary art. This inaugural event, titled Recipes for Broken Hearts, is more than just an exhibition; it is an expansive celebration of art’s healing powers, communal participation, and time-honored craft.
Curatorial Vision and Architectural Excellence
The biennial will be directed by Diana Campbell, an influential curator known for her cross-disciplinary projects and a visionary in integrating craft and fine arts. Campbell's experience, including her impactful leadership as the Artistic Director of the Dhaka Art Summit and her involvement with projects spanning over 70 countries, positions her uniquely to lead this ambitious event. Her role as the Head of Global Initiatives at the Hartwig Art Foundation and work with global art networks such as AFIELD further underscores her dedication to fostering collaborative platforms.
Wael Al Awar, serving as the Creative Director of Architecture, brings his profound expertise in site-specific and adaptive design. Al Awar, co-founder of the innovative architecture firm waiwai, is celebrated for embedding natural elements and phenomena into his creations, most notably winning the Golden Lion for his curation of the UAE National Pavilion at the 2021 Venice Architecture Biennale. His vision for Bukhara will contribute to the revitalization of its historic district, merging ancient structures with contemporary interventions to create a unique atmosphere.
An Immersive Feast of Art and Culture
Recipes for Broken Hearts will embrace the idea of an expanded feast as a metaphorical and literal exploration of healing, time, and artistry. This theme resonates with the communal aspects of both cooking and artistic creation, where process and participation are as vital as the final product. The biennial will bring together a diverse group of local Uzbek artisans and internationally acclaimed artists such as Antony Gormley (UK), Laila Gohar (Egypt), Himali Singh Soin (India), David Soin Tappeser (Germany), Subodh Gupta (India), Bekhbaatar Enkhtur (Mongolia), Delcy Morelos (Colombia), and Marina Simão (Brazil).
Spotlight on Laila Gohar: The Art of Culinary Storytelling
Food artist Laila Gohar will be among the luminaries participating in this inaugural event. Known for her conceptual approach to food, Gohar has carved a niche where art and gastronomy intersect. Her installations evoke nostalgia and human connection, drawing on her Egyptian heritage to create edible sculptures that play with time, memory, and communal rituals. Her practice aligns seamlessly with the biennial’s emphasis on time as a critical ingredient for both cooking and healing, promising interactive installations that will engage all the senses.
Craftsmanship and Global Dialogue
The biennial’s focus on craft is pivotal, celebrating Uzbekistan’s long-standing traditions in textiles, ceramics, and metalwork. The collaboration between local artisans and international artists will highlight the fusion of ancient techniques with modern artistic language, creating works that are at once deeply rooted in heritage and boldly experimental. The biennial is commissioned by Gayane Umerova, chairperson of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation, an organization dedicated to promoting cultural heritage and contemporary art on a global stage.
Diana Campbell
Campbell’s extensive background speaks to her capacity for creating immersive cultural forums. Beyond leading the Samdani Art Foundation and its Dhaka Art Summit, her curatorial projects with major international artists like Antony Gormley, Otobong Nkanga, and Sumayya Vally have emphasized cross-disciplinary approaches. Campbell’s ability to weave together diverse cultural threads will undoubtedly shape the Bukhara Biennial into an event of profound resonance.
As Central Asia’s most significant cultural gathering yet, the Bukhara Biennial is poised to set new standards for immersive and interdisciplinary art events. Recipes for Broken Hearts will embody a celebration of healing through art and communal experiences, offering attendees a journey that intertwines tradition, innovation, and global exchange.
Image courtesy: ACDF, Rafal Sliwa
