ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Ahmed Mater's Land Art commission for Wadi AlFann previewed at London retrospective

exhibition · 2026-04-19

On July 17, 2024, Christie's in London unveiled a significant mid-career retrospective of Ahmed Mater's artistry, titled 'Ahmed Mater: Chronicles.' This exhibition includes a preview of his upcoming monumental Land Art project for Wadi AlFann, Valley of the Arts, located in AlUla, Saudi Arabia. Born in 1979, Mater transitioned from medicine to become a leading contemporary artist in Saudi Arabia. His latest large-scale piece, 'Ashab Al-Lal,' is influenced by the scientific and philosophical scholars of the Islamic Golden Age. This installation aims to create a mirage within AlUla's sand dunes, probing the limits of imagination and reality. Mater is one of the first five artists commissioned for site-specific works at Wadi AlFann, set to open in 2025. The retrospective will be on display until August 22, 2024.

Key facts

  • Ahmed Mater: Chronicles opened at Christie's London on July 17, 2024
  • The exhibition runs through August 22, 2024
  • Mater was born in 1979
  • He began his career as a physician before turning to art
  • His new Land Art commission is titled 'Ashab Al-Lal'
  • The work is inspired by thinkers from the Islamic Golden Age
  • Wadi AlFann in AlUla will open to visitors in 2025
  • Mater is one of five artists commissioned for the site

Entities

Artists

  • Ahmed Mater

Institutions

  • Christie's
  • Royal Commission for AlUla
  • Wadi AlFann, Valley of the Arts

Locations

  • London
  • United Kingdom
  • AlUla
  • Saudi Arabia

Sources