The Riyadh Art Program, under the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, has announced the launch of the seventh edition of the Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium 2026, one of the world’s leading annual events dedicated to sculpture. Taking place in Riyadh from January 12 to February 22, the symposium brings together 25 artists from 18 countries, including participants from Saudi Arabia.
Traces of What Will Be
Held under the theme “Traces of What Will Be,” this year’s edition explores transformation as both a material and intellectual process, reflecting the dynamics of urban change. Artists will create sculptures on-site through an open, live sculpting experience that allows the public to observe the creative process firsthand. Using local materials such as Saudi granite and recycled metals, the artists will produce large-scale works designed for public spaces.
Visitors will have the unique opportunity to follow each stage of artistic creation as raw materials evolve into finished sculptures, offering an immersive cultural experience that deepens engagement with contemporary sculptural practices.
The 2026 edition features two main tracks: one dedicated to granite, with the possibility of incorporating stainless steel, and another focused on recycled metals—highlighting the symposium’s emphasis on sustainability, experimentation, and innovation.
Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium
All artworks produced during the symposium will become part of the permanent Riyadh Art collection and will later be installed in prominent public locations across the city. This supports the program’s vision of integrating contemporary art into the urban landscape and positioning Riyadh as a living, open-air art gallery.
Since its inception in 2019, the Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium has welcomed more than 150 artists from around the globe and resulted in over 150 permanent artworks, cementing its role as a global platform for artistic exchange and a cornerstone of Riyadh’s evolving cultural scene.
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