Saudi Arabia has been witnessing a thriving contemporary art scene, with a growing number of talented artists and stunning artistic exhibitions.
Throughout 2024, the Kingdom hosted several artistic exhibitions reflecting its unwavering commitment to creating a whole modern renaissance.
First Chinese Contemporary Art Exhibition
The Saudi Museums Commission hosted “The Writings of Today Are a Promise for Tomorrow,” the first exhibition of Chinese contemporary art in Saudi Arabia.
Held at the Saudi Arabian Museum of Contemporary Art at Jax in Diriyah in September, the exhibition showcased over 50 artworks by more than 30 Chinese artists.
Interestingly, the artworks highlighted the transformative nature of contemporary society and explored a vast array of cultural and societal themes, emphasizing the significance of writing in both Arabic and Chinese traditions.
Therefore, the exhibition’s main themes revolved around the role of the garden in Chinese culture and a deep exploration of commodification and capital in contemporary Chinese society.
“Visitors will encounter a wide range of works across different mediums, presenting a non-traditional view of Chinese contemporary art. The exhibition highlights universal themes of memory, nostalgia, progress and modernism, while exploring the balance between individual and collective identity,” Ibrahim Al-Sanousi, acting CEO of the Museums Commission, said.
Dreams Unveiled
Ahlam Gallery in Riyadh hosted “Dreams Unveiled” collection by the contemporary Saudi artist, Nada Halabi from June 4 to 15.
She believes that they are like all the years accumulated with time “and all my dreams, like sometimes I wake up at 5:00 a.m. and write down what I see, and when I wake up again, I paint.”
Halabi’s artworks reflected her love for traveling to different museums and in order to find inspiration in historic places and paintings.
Crucially, the exhibition boasted a section dedicated to Lebanon — featuring newspapers and the neon words “Disconnected Roots.”
She wanted to deliver certain message through this work; it shows how many countries are connected yet at the same time are disconnected due to political conflicts.
“I lived in Saudi Arabia longer than I did in Lebanon, even though I was born and raised there,” Halabi said.
Imagine Monet
Jeddah Season 2024 hosted “Imagine Monet” exhibition from June 28 to July 28 at the Jeddah Corniche, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The exhibition was the largest interactive exhibition of its kind in the country, showcasing over 200 well-known masterpieces by Claude Monet during his lifetime.
The paintings were enhanced through modern technology with 360-degree projections on walls and floor.
The projections gave visitors the feeling that they are walking among the brushstrokes of pieces like Water Lilies.
Moreover, the exhibition offered a valuable opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the journey of the French artist and his most celebrated artworks.
Visitors enjoyed paintings like Poppies, Impression: Sunrise, and Monet’s Water Lilies series.
Furthermore, the exhibition featured a discovery room designed to introduce detailed background about the artworks with a comprehensive 360-degree view and an outstanding audio-visual experience.
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