It’s an exciting time to be a lover of art in Saudi Arabia. Inspired by the changes taking place in the kingdom, a generation of artists, designers, photographers and curators are helping to transform the country’s cultural landscape. From the majestic desert oasis of AlUla to its biggest cities, creativity is flourishing, grants are being awarded, and biennales are taking shape all around Saudi Arabia. Here is our edit of this year's unmissable art exhibitions in the Arab kingdom.
A citywide annual festival of light and art, Noor Riyadh’s second edition was so successful that an accompanying three-month exhibition was extended into March this year. Part of Riyadh Art, Saudi Arabia’s first national public art initiative, the 2022 edition featured over 190 artworks by more than 130 artists. The festival’s third instalment is expected to launch in November and will once again transform the capital city through light and art.
A six-day celebration of art and design, Misk Art Week features everything from exhibitions and performances to talks and workshops. Held every December as a platform for creative expression and exploration, the week-long event is organised by Misk Art Institute, a non-profit cultural organisation seeking to empower local and regional artists. The sixth edition’s thematic dialogue centred around the notion of nostalgia. Expect something equally dynamic for its upcoming seventh edition in Riyadh.
A biennial exhibition organised by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture, the second edition is being held at the Old Irqah Hospital in Riyadh and runs until 2 September. Exploring the spiritual dimension of calligraphy within the Arab/Muslim world, Scripts and Calligraphy: Paths to the Soul is divided into four complementary themes: light, letter, space and poetry. A total of 34 calligraphers from 11 countries are participating in the exhibition, which will move to the Madina Arts Center from 15 October to 23 December.
Another initiative from Misk Art Institute, the first edition of the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Arts Hall Exhibition runs until 31 August. An opportunity for Saudi and Saudi-based artists to showcase their artwork in a professional institutional setting, the edition’s thematic focus is tradition, and asks how works of art reflect a society’s culture. The group exhibition provides a unique chance to connect with the local creative community in Riyadh.
Although not scheduled to take place until January next year, the biennale’s second edition will bring international contemporary art to Saudi Arabia. The acclaimed curator Ute Meta Bauer has already been announced as artistic director and will look to build on the success of the inaugural 2021 edition. Also providing a platform for Saudi artists to contribute to the global discourse around contemporary art, the event is organised by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation.
