Riyadh: The Visual Arts Commission announced the curatorial team for the inaugural edition of Art Week Riyadh, taking place from April 6 to 13, 2025: Vittoria Matarrese, Artistic Director and Curator; Basma Harasani, Associate Curator; Victoria Gandit Lelandais, Associate Curator; and Shumon Basar, Curator of the Public Program.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Matarrese, the former director of the Bally Foundation in Switzerland and of the performing arts department at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, expressed that Art Week Riyadh represents an opportunity to engage with a city and region experiencing cultural transformation. The inaugural edition, titled At the Edge, aims to explore these cultural shifts and demonstrate how tradition and progression coexist.
Saudi curator and art advisor Harasani stated that Art Week Riyadh, being the first of its kind, signifies the progress Saudi Arabia has made in establishing itself within the global cultural narrative, while maintaining its authenticity and showcasing the Kingdom's best offerings.
Gandit Lelandais, a specialist in contemporary art from the Arab world, emphasized that the existence of Art Week Riyadh illustrates the intentional development of a thriving art ecosystem. This initiative fosters growth among galleries, artists, institutions, scholars, and collectors, offering a platform for critical discussions and reflection.
Basar, a writer, curator, and cultural convenor in the Gulf, noted that Art Week Riyadh provides a moment to encapsulate the arts evolution in Riyadh, the Kingdom, and the region, and to engage in global conversations in an increasingly multipolar world.
The week-long event will be based at the JAX District, with activities occurring throughout the city. It will gather leading local, regional, and international galleries, cultural institutions, artists, patrons, collectors, and enthusiasts to celebrate Saudi Arabia's role in global cultural engagement.
Under the theme At The Edge, Art Week Riyadh will feature a curated selection of works from over 30 local, regional, and international galleries, collections, and a public program of talks and performances. At The Edge will explore Riyadh's dynamic cultural landscape and its growing international presence.