Saudi artists depict change through art

Some of the most admired artists in the Kingdom have showcased their work during the ongoing visit of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the US.
Updated 27 March 2018
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Saudi artists depict change through art

NEW YORK: The compelling story of how Saudi Arabia is changing is the theme of an exhibition of contemporary Saudi art, which opened on Monday in New York at the newly established Misk Art Institute.
The four-day exhibition marks the official visit to the US of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and showcases works by some of the most admired artists in the Kingdom, with 27 major artworks. The art institute is part of the Misk Foundation, the non-profit body the crown prince set up to promote and encourage creativity among the Kingdom’s youth.

DANA AWARTANI
Born in Jeddah in 1987, Awartani has a degree in fine art from the prestigious Central St. Martin’s College in London and a master’s degree in traditional arts from the Princes School in London.
She specializes in illumination, tile work and parquetry and her work typically features geometric patterns. She has exhibited her work in Salt Lake City, San Francisco and the Venice Biennale. Several of her works are included in the Farjam Collection, one of the world’s largest collections of Islamic art.

RASHED AL-SHASHAI
One of the most active figures on the Saudi contemporary art scene, Al-Shashai, 40, was born in Al-Baha and raised in Makkah. He is a founder member of the Saudi Arabia Fine Arts Society, the Art Education Society and founder-director of Tasami Centre for Visual Art, which supports cutting-edge art in the Kingdom. He has exhibited widely both in the Gulf region, in North Africa and the US and is considered an important influence on the new generation of Saudi artists. He also lectures and organizes exhibitions and forums.

AHMAD ANGAWI
He studied industrial design at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York and then did a master’s degree in traditional art at the Prince’s School in London. He says his work is inspired by Islamic principles and firmly believes that industrial designers are the craftsmen of today. Angawi is a cofounder of Al-Hangar, an independent artist initiative, which organizes cultural exchanges through exhibitions and educational programs. He has exhibited throughout the Gulf as well as Venice and the US.

AJLAN GHAREM
Born in 1985 in the southern city of Khamis Mushait, Gharem is now based in Riyadh, where he teaches mathematics and applies mathematical discipline to making his art. He founded the Gharem Studio with his artist brother, Abdulnasser Gharem. He has been exhibited in the US and London and in 2011 was chosen to work with artists and curators at the British Museum, Tate Modern and Penguin Books.
SAEED SALEM
Born in 1984 in Jeddah, Salem is of Yemeni descent and was educated in Malaysia. He graduated from Curtin University, Perth, Australia in 2007 with a degree in advertising, which included a photography module. He had no intention of becoming a photographer but after working in several design and photography studios, he set up his own shop, 181 degrees, in 2009.
His first major stint in the contemporary art world was through Edge of Arabia’s We Need to Talk exhibition in Jeddah in 2012, where Salem began project Neonland, a series of iconic photographs capturing the essence of Jeddah.

FATIMAH HASSAN
The women of Asir, southwest Saudi Arabia are famous for the colorful murals and frescoes they paint to decorate their homes. Hassan, herself an Asiri, is a proud exponent and promoter of the traditional art form, having showcased examples at the UN in New York, among other places. With her son Ahmed, daughter Jamila and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, she has lobbied to have traditional murals in Asir placed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
The Al-Qatt Al-Asiri murals by women artists from southern Saudi Arabia have been specially commissioned for the Misk Art Institute exhibition.

AMR ALNAGMAH
The conceptual artist has created pieces featuring the Ka’aba. His piece, “Digital Spirituality” has the black cube located in the center of a circuit board. He has exhibited his work at the Arab-American National Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, the only national institution in the US dedicated to the Arab-American experience.


Quality of Life Program’s CEO stresses ‘people first’ approach

CEO of Saudi Arabia's Quality of Life Program Khalid bin Abdullah Al-Bakr speaking at the World Urban Forum in Cairo. (SPA)
Updated 5 sec ago
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Quality of Life Program’s CEO stresses ‘people first’ approach

CAIRO: CEO of the Quality of Life Program Khalid bin Abdullah Al-Bakr has reaffirmed that the initiative places people at its heart.

This human-centered approach drives a range of projects across the Kingdom, aligned with the objectives of Vision 2030 to transform urban landscapes, elevate the quality of city services, and foster innovation through the adoption of modern technologies.

The statement was delivered during a dialogue session called “Putting People First in a Digital Era,” which was organized by the UN as part of the 12th World Urban Forum. The session featured the participation of experts and specialists from across the world.


Falcons club, NEOM in preservation drive

Updated 18 min 41 sec ago
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Falcons club, NEOM in preservation drive

  • The partnership is a major step in promoting the concept of sustainable falconry
  • The Hadad program works to revitalize the habitat of peregrine falcons at the NEOM reserve

NEOM: The Saudi Falcons Club’s Hadad program has announced a strategic partnership with NEOM to improve falcons’ habitat in the NEOM Nature Reserve.
The partnership, which was signed during Hadad’s annual meeting hosted by NEOM on Thursday, is part of the second phase of the program, which focuses on protecting endangered species and reviving habitats by employing the latest international standards in wildlife conservation.
The partnership is a major step in promoting the concept of sustainable falconry by preserving cultural and environmental heritage while integrating ancient traditions with modern practices.
The Hadad program works to revitalize the habitat of peregrine falcons at the NEOM reserve and implement effective environmental measures to ensure the sustainability of the species.
The partnership reflects NEOM’s efforts to preserve 95 percent of its land for nature, set new international standards to preserve the environment, and rehabilitate wildlife through its reserve.
It also illustrates the Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing its global leadership position in sustainable development and environmental protection, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.


AlUla Royal Commission signs agreement with National Archaeological Museum of Naples

The exhibition at AlUla will showcase 15 masterpieces of historic cities and monuments, such as Pompeii, Herculaneum and Rome. (
Updated 47 min 17 sec ago
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AlUla Royal Commission signs agreement with National Archaeological Museum of Naples

  • Exhibition will showcase 15 masterpieces of historic cities and monuments

AlUla: The Royal Commission for AlUla signed a new strategic partnership agreement with the National Archaeological Museum of Naples to showcase a collection of antiques in the Kingdom and in AlUla for the first time.

The museum is an addition to the commission’s network of cultural partners, joining leading heritage and education institutions from the United Kingdom, France, China and Italy, to cooperate in preserving, studying and celebrating AlUla’s shared history of 20,000 years.

Built in 1777, the museum is also a landmark in an Italian heritage capital, embracing some of Europe’s richest cultural treasures, including Roman and Greek statues preserved in excellent condition, as well as bronze pieces, mosaics, and other works of art.

The agreement between the royal commission and the museum of Naples allows the transfer of a selection of artifacts from Naples in southern Italy to AlUla, northwest the Arabian Peninsula, to showcase the masterpieces of the museum.

The exhibition will showcase 15 masterpieces of historic cities and monuments, such as Pompeii, Herculaneum and Rome, and will be one of the main cultural events of the Ancient Kingdoms Festival 2024, which will take place in AlUla from Nov. 7 to 30.

During the exhibition, visitors will also have the opportunity to attend the AlUla World Archaeology Symposium.


Saudi arts and culture association hosts captivating ‘Ready for Display’ show

Updated 07 November 2024
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Saudi arts and culture association hosts captivating ‘Ready for Display’ show

  • Exhibition showcases impressive collection of works from 47 artists, reflecting rich diversity of styles and artistic approaches 

DAMMAM: The Saudi Arabian Society for Arts and Culture in Dammam began cultural programs with the seventh “Ready for Display” exhibition, showcasing works from 47 artists, including participants from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria, the Philippines, India and Pakistan. 

The exhibition aims to highlight a range of artistic styles, techniques and approaches while reflecting the beauty and essence of the local environment.

Running from Nov. 1 to Nov. 10, the show provides an important platform for local and resident artists. 

Each artist brings their individual approach to the canvas, with some embracing abstraction while others focus on realistic representations. 

Their works captured a variety of subjects, including people, places, animals and shapes, highlighting the rich diversity of artistic expression and individual creativity. 

Artists display various mediums, with some using stretched canvas while others experiment with materials such as wood panels and clay, adding distinctive textures and dimensions. 

This blend of techniques and media invites viewers to recognize the interconnectedness of art and cultural identity worldwide.

Visitors can appreciate how elements from the land and sea bring life to the displayed artworks’ color palettes and artistic designs.

The still-life drawings also showcase the artists’ attention to detail and innovative creative abilities.

Yousef Al-Harbi, director of the association’s branch in Dammam, said that such exhibitions helped visitors to “gain a deeper understanding of their history and identity,” fostering a sense of pride. 

The event has drawn significant interest, with the selection committee receiving 167 submissions from 98 artists, ultimately selecting 47 artworks for display, each representing different schools of thought and techniques in the art world.

In addition, the exhibition featured interactive events, including a workshop on acrylic painting on Nov. 2 and a live painting session on Nov. 3. 

Al-Harbi highlighted the association’s broader impact, saying: “In the past four months, we have delivered 38 training workshops, held eight art exhibitions and presented 21 theatrical performances,” aiming to establish the Eastern Province as a center of artistic creativity.

The association is dedicated to nurturing local talent in harmony with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, focusing on cultural identity and sustainable development.

 


Indonesian-Saudi ties to grow under new government, ambassador says

Updated 07 November 2024
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Indonesian-Saudi ties to grow under new government, ambassador says

  • Abdulaziz Ahmad highlights Jakarta’s commitment to Middle East peace, new trade ties with the Kingdom

RIYADH: Indonesia’s “alliance” with Saudi Arabia will continue to grow under new president Prabowo Subianto, Jakarta’s ambassador to the Kingdom has told Arab News.

Speaking at a diplomatic reception to celebrate 79 years of independence and longstanding Indonesian-Saudi Arabia ties, Abdulaziz Ahmad highlighted the importance of the growing bilateral relationship, reflecting on recent milestones achieved by both countries.

“Last October, during the historic visit of Indonesia’s former president Joko Widodo, we signed four crucial memorandums of understanding — on the Supreme Coordination Council, halal products, sports and youth cooperation, and technical standards,” he said.

“These agreements are paving the way for a stronger, mutually beneficial alliance that supports both our countries’ development goals.”

The ambassador praised the peaceful transition in Indonesia’s government under President Subianto last month.

He expressed confidence in the future of Indonesian-Saudi relations: “With this new administration, the ties between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia will continue to grow, fostering deeper economic and cultural cooperation.”

Reflecting on the steady growth in trade between the two countries, the ambassador highlighted the significance of Indonesia’s increasing export footprint in Saudi Arabia.

“In 2023, trade between our countries surged to $6.15 billion, marking a 10.81 percent rise since 2019. By August this year, our trade had grown by an impressive 17.32 percent compared to the same period last year,” he said.

“This momentum speaks to the strength of our partnership and the quality of Indonesian exports, particularly in non-oil sectors like palm oil, processed foods and agriculture, which are increasingly meeting the needs of Saudi consumers. Our collaboration emphasizes sustainability and community-based production, aligning well with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.”

He added that Indonesia is committed to peace in the Middle East, strongly condemning the Israeli aggression in Gaza and advocating for humanitarian access and support for Palestinians, in line with international law and UN resolutions.

Ahmad concluded his remarks by extending Indonesia’s appreciation to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their support of Indonesians living in Saudi Arabia, and for the enduring friendship between both countries.

The Indonesian Embassy hosted the reception at the Cultural Palace in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter.

About 500 distinguished guests attended, including diplomats, Saudi officials and business leaders, highlighting the rich cultural heritage of Indonesia and its growing ties with the Kingdom.

The evening featured cultural presentations, including a remo dance from East Java, the harmonious sounds of a Central Javanese gamelan and captivating performances by Indonesian vocalists.

Guests enjoyed a showcase of batik textiles from across Indonesia’s archipelago and were served an array of traditional Indonesian dishes.

Undersecretary for the Riyadh Region Dr. Faisal Al-Sudairi joined the Indonesian ambassador in commemorating the special occasion as a guest of honor.