Riyadh: The Visual Arts Commission concluded the inaugural edition of Art Week Riyadh after welcoming over 17,000 visitors across 13 locations throughout the city. The week served as a non-commercial platform dedicated to supporting contemporary Saudi art, fostering cultural exchange, and spotlighting the Kingdom's creative momentum.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Head of the Art Week Riyadh initiative Princess Adwaa bint Yazeed, stated: "This week reflected what we can achieve when institutions, practitioners, and communities unite to shape a vibrant cultural future." She expressed pride in this movement and gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the inaugural edition, which lays the foundation for a sustained journey of artistic excellence.
CEO of the Visual Arts Commission Dina Amin, noted: "Throughout this week, we witnessed the living embodiment of Art Week Riyadh's vision as a vibrant celebration of creativity, a bridge between local and global voices, and a platform for discovery shaped and driven by the creative community in the Kingdom and beyond." She emphasized that this week marked more than just a pivotal milestone for Riyadh-it reflected a broader cultural movement emerging across the Kingdom, driven by an unwavering commitment to nurture, preserve, and develop the visual arts for future generations.
The release added that the week featured the participation of over 50 local and international galleries, 200 artists, more than 500 artworks, and over 100 events, including exhibitions, workshops, and panel discussions, all aimed at highlighting the growing creative energy in the Kingdom.
Among the week's highlights was the Collections in Dialogue exhibition held at the JAX District, which will remain open to visitors until May 31, 2025. The exhibition showcased selected works from the collections of the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), Art Jameel, and the Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG), offering a unique opportunity for reflection on the evolution of Saudi cultural identity through the works of renowned artists such as Do Ho Suh, Maha Malluh, Michelangelo Pistoletto, and Ahmed Mater.
The JAX District also hosted the exhibition At the Edge, which featured curated selections by over 30 galleries, reflecting ongoing dialogues between the Saudi art scene, the broader Middle East and North Africa region, and the global contemporary art landscape. Esteemed international galleries participated, presenting works by artists including Wael Shawky, Kader Attia, Ahmed Mater, Nefeli Papadimouli, Mohammad Alfaraj, Maha Malluh, Bashayer Hawsawi, and Ayesha Singh.
In central Riyadh, the Al Mousa Center-once a commercial complex-was transformed into a unique art destination, hosting 20 solo and group exhibitions by regional and international artists. Notable highlights included the women-led "Hunna" exhibition presented by ERRM Gallery and Gallery Misr, a panel titled "The Value of the Past is a Measure of the Future," and exhibitions by artists such as Saddek Wasil and Abdullah Hammas, as well as a showcase of regional talent at Ama Art Venue.
Under the theme "How To Art World? - Lessons in Value," curator Shumon Basar led a series of thought-provoking talks and workshops that addressed core issues such as art auctions, emerging collectors, and the value of art in the digital reproduction era.
The week's activities extended citywide, allowing visitors to explore galleries such as ATHR, Hafez, and Liff, and visit the studios of leading Saudi artists in the JAX District, including Muhannad Shono, Marwa AlMugait, Moath Alofi, Nasser AlTurki, and Noura Bin Saidan. At the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art (SAMoCA), the exhibitions Art of the Kingdom and Adaptability Ceramics, alongside experimental workshops and pop-ups, drew significant attention. In addition, the ISDAR Studio of artist Lulwah Al Humoud held an etching dry-point workshop by artist Zeina Bardran.
Art Week Riyadh is an initiative by the Visual Arts Commission, one of the sector-specific commissions under the Ministry of Culture. It aims to solidify Riyadh's status as a regional and international artistic destination. It brings together prominent art institutions, galleries, enthusiasts, and practitioners to present a rich visual scene that promotes art collecting and supports local creativity.