Art Week Riyadh launches as experimental cultural initiative connecting Saudi capital with MENASA region
Art Week Riyadh, organized by the Visual Arts Commission of Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Culture, was held in the JAX District until April 13. CEO Dina Amin highlighted the event as a shift from conventional formats to align with contemporary Saudi demands. Curated by Vittoria Matarrese, the main exhibition, At The Edge, showcased more than 45 galleries, focusing on themes such as Everyday Life, Landscapes, and Motifs. Featured artists included Ahmed Mater, Manal AlDowayan, and rising stars like Mohammad AlFaraj. The exhibition opened with Kader Attia's 2017 artwork, while Wael Shawky delved into the history of the Arabian Peninsula. Aïcha Gorgi stressed the importance of North African galleries, aiming to foster connections among local and global communities.
Key facts
- Art Week Riyadh is an initiative of Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Culture Visual Arts Commission
- The inaugural edition ran until April 13 with headquarters in JAX District, Diriyah
- Main exhibition At The Edge featured over 45 galleries curated by Vittoria Matarrese
- Exhibition included established Saudi artists Ahmed Mater and Manal AlDowayan
- North African galleries received prominent placement with Tunisian gallerist Aïcha Gorgi participating
- Greek artist Nefeli Papadimouli's Dream Coat (2023-24) embodied the liminal space theme
- The event aimed to move beyond traditional art week models according to VCA CEO Dina Amin
- Additional venues included Almousa Center with galleries like Jhunna Gallery and Ahlam Gallery
Entities
Artists
- Ahmed Mater
- Manal AlDowayan
- Mohammad AlFaraj
- Sarah Brahim
- Sarah Abu Abdallah
- Kader Attia
- Wael Shawky
- Nefeli Papadimouli
- Raya Kassisieh
- Najah Zarbout
- Mehdi-Georges Lahlou
- Tagreed Darghouth
- Meriem Bouderbala
- Souad Abdelrasoul
- Saddek Wasil
- Etel Adnan
- Ahaad Alamoudi
- Lulwah Al Homoud
- Muhannad Shono
- Ayman Zedani
- Faisal Alkheriji
- Vittoria Matarrese
- Basma Harasani
- Victoria Gandit Lelandais
- Shumon Basar
- Dina Amin
Institutions
- Ministry of Culture Visual Arts Commission
- Canvas
- THE PILL®
- Wadi Finan
- Galerie La La Lande
- Jhunna Gallery
- Ahlam Gallery
- Islamic Arts Biennale
- Frieze
- Art Basel
- Saudi Cultural Development Fund
- Visual Arts Commission
- Ministry of Culture
- Art Jameel
- King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra)
- Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art
- Saudi Ministry of Culture
- Art Week Riyadh
- Ministry of Culture's Visual Arts Commission
Locations
- Riyadh
- Saudi Arabia
- JAX District
- Diriyah
- Istanbul
- Paris
- Tunisia
- Jordan
- Jeddah
- Algeria
- Libya
- Morocco
- Mecca
- Greece
- JAX district