AL-Monitor Riyadh: The Saudi capital prepares for inaugural Riyadh Art Week
As Ramadan comes to a close, we turn our focus to Riyadh Art Week. Set to run April 6-13, the event features top local and international galleries, institutions and artists. We also highlight exciting shows in Jeddah and the At Suhail Ramadan tent at the St. Regis Riyadh, as well as stunning works by a leading photographer in Jeddah.
Leading the week: Inaugural Riyadh Art Week
Riyadh Art Week, a new cultural platform spearheaded by Saudi Arabia’s Visual Arts Commission, will stage its inaugural edition April 6-13 across venues in Riyadh and the JAX District.
The weeklong event will gather leading local and international galleries, cultural institutions, artists, patrons, collectors and art lovers in a program of events that celebrates the kingdom’s growing and dynamic art landscape.
“Art Week Riyadh is about building a robust and inclusive framework — one that supports innovation, creativity and thought leadership, and an unwavering commitment to preserving and advancing culture,” said Dina Amin, CEO of the Visual Arts Commission, in the opening press release. “By bringing together diverse elements of the Saudi art sector, it aims to empower and nurture practitioners and foster a shared vision of growth, opportunity and cultural enrichment.”
The event will take place under the theme “At The Edge” and explores ideas surrounding transitions and liminal spaces, with a focus on Riyadh as a growing global and regional place for cultural engagement. While a list of participating galleries and institutions has yet to be unveiled, the curatorial team includes artistic director and curator Vittoria Matarrese, associate curator Basma Harasani, associate curator Victoria Gandit Lelandais and public program curator Shumon Basar.
The event aims to showcase the rise of the kingdom’s art scene through gallery-led exhibitions, tours of private collections, and various educational and public programming events.
Dates: April 6-13
Location: Throughout Riyadh and JAX District
Find more information here.
Word on the street: “At Suhail” Ramadan tent
A view of At Suhail (Courtesy of the St. Regis Riyadh)
As Ramadan comes to a close, this is the week to try new iftars and experiences celebrating the holy month. One of the most talked about and arguably lavish Ramadan tents in Riyadh is At Suhail, at the St. Regis Riyadh. Named after the timeless Suhail star, known as a guide for desert travelers for hundreds of years, this Ramadan iftar will delight your senses and intrigue your curiosity with an offering of both traditional and contemporary dishes. Located within the upscale Via Riyadh complex, the hotel’s At Suhail tent is a dining oasis steeped in Saudi heritage and Muslim tradition, with decor as refined as can be. Of note are the colors used in the decoration: lavender for beauty and the welcoming spirit of the kingdom, and green to represent Saudi heritage and prosperity. Additionally, the decor celebrates the legacy of the House of Astor, the origins of the St. Regis, opened in New York in 1904 by John Jacob Astor IV. This Ramadan iftar is a visual and delectable treat — not to be missed.
Location: St. Regis, Via Riyadh, Al Hada. Iftar is served from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Find more information here.
Riyadh diary
Lulua Alyahya. Magic Chocolate Ball, 2023.(Courtesy the artist and ATHR)
• “Nafs” by Lulua Alyahya
Don’t miss Saudi artist Lulua Alyahya’s debut solo exhibition, “Nafs” (“self” in Arabic). This captivating series playfully distorts familiar faces from daily life and media, inviting viewers to confront personal and collective notions of identity. Both unsettling and endearing, the works turn tension into charm, sparking moments of self-reflection.
Dates: Until March 25
Location: ATHR, Jeddah
Find more information here.
• Ramadan Nights at Jeddah’s Islamic Arts Biennale
If you’re in Jeddah, don’t miss this special Ramadan program at the Western Hajj Terminal. Running through Ramadan, it features workshops in Arabic calligraphy, traditional crafts and more. Enjoy live music, cultural performances and unique Ramadan-themed gifts at the Biennale Design Store.
Dates: March 31
Location: Islamic Arts Biennale, Western Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport
Find more information here.
• Rahaba Festival: A celebration of Saudi traditions
Held in Madinah, this vibrant festival celebrates Saudi music, storytelling, folk performances and more, offering a deep dive into the kingdom’s heritage and its connection to Madinah. Enjoy a variety of culinary experiences showcasing traditional Saudi cuisine.
Date: Until March 31
Location: The Heritage District within King Fahd Central Park, Madinah
Find more information here.
Book of the week: “Being Young, Male and Saudi"
While much is being written about the state of women in the rapidly transforming Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, this book delves into the lives of the country’s males, whose views and voices are rarely heard outside of the kingdom. British academic Mark C. Thompson notes the challenges, struggles and dilemmas facing young Saudi men during a time of great change. Through the book, he captures the voices of a distinct group of achievers that relay their thoughts and beliefs regarding education, employment, marriage prospects and identity, as well as gender segregation. This fascinating read provides the perfect companion for anyone wishing to delve further into the changing society of Saudi Arabia today.
View from Riyadh
Mohammed Alfaraj, “Glimpses of Now” from the “Fragmented Memory" series, 2015. (Courtesy of the artist and ATHR)
Multidisciplinary Saudi artist Mohammed Alfaraj works across photography, filmmaking, installation, sculpture and writing. His works, largely anchored to a specific place, have a strong connection to nature and to his home city of Al Hasa in the Eastern Province. In his dreamy and intriguing photographic works, installation and films, and even performances, Alfaraj poignantly and philosophically calls attention to the fragility and strength of nature and time.
See more of his work here.
By the numbers
• The global population of camels is 42 million, with approximately 94% being Arabian camels, according to the Saudi Ministry of Culture.
• Estimated at 2 million, Saudi Arabia has the fifth-largest camel population in the world.
• According to Saudi Arabia’s Fashion Commission, the camel leather market potential is approximately $98.7 million per annum.
