Iwona Blazwick to Lead AlUla's Public Art Panel with 2024 Commissions by Denes, Heizer, Turrell, AlDowayan, Mater

Iwona Blazwick, former director of London's Whitechapel Gallery, has been named chair of the Royal Commission for AlUla's Public Art Expert Panel. She will oversee permanent, site-specific installations in Wadi AlFann, a northwestern area of AlUla, Saudi Arabia, scheduled for unveiling in 2024. The commissioned artists include Manal AlDowayan, Agnes Denes, Michael Heizer, Ahmed Mater, and James Turrell. Blazwick described the initiative as part of a broader cultural master plan highlighting archaeology and historic civilizations like the Nabataeans. She aims to reflect pioneers of Land and environmental art while incorporating global, local, and regional perspectives. Previously, Blazwick held roles at Tate Modern and London's ICA, and launched the Max Mara Art Prize for Women in 2005. In defending her involvement, she emphasized her commitment to freedom of expression and supporting women, stating that art can change society. The project is viewed by some as an effort by the Saudi Arabian government to bolster its cultural image despite human rights concerns.