Riyadh, February 25, 2025 – After its successful debut in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the highly anticipated "Art of the Kingdom: Poetic Illuminations" exhibition has officially opened at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art at Jax District (SAMoCA@Jax) in Riyadh. Running from February 24 to May 24, 2025, the exhibition marks the first travelling group show of contemporary Saudi artists, offering a unique window into Saudi Arabia’s rich artistic heritage and evolving cultural landscape.
The exhibition presents works from 17 distinguished Saudi artists hailing from different generations, regions, and artistic practices. Ranging from traditional paintings to immersive installations and thought-provoking video works, these pieces explore and illuminate the Kingdom's deep-rooted history, collective memory, and cultural traditions. The showcase reflects both the country’s past and its dynamic future, offering a multi-faceted narrative shaped by contemporary questions and experiences.
Commissioned by the Museums Commission, a part of the Saudi Ministry of Culture, and curated by renowned art critic and curator Diana Wechsler, "Art of the Kingdom" debuted in November 2024 at the historic Paço Imperial in Rio de Janeiro, attracting a remarkable 26,000 visitors. Following its Riyadh edition, the exhibition will travel to the Shanghai National Museum in China later this year, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of Saudi-Chinese diplomatic relations.
The exhibition is structured around two prominent themes—**the desert** and cultural tradition—which form the core of Saudi Arabia’s visual identity. The desert, symbolic of space, infinity, and life, serves as both a physical and metaphysical backdrop for the works, with artists exploring its materiality, atmosphere, and environmental significance. These reflections touch on themes of identity, ecology, and the ever-changing relationship between the land and the people.
Cultural tradition also plays a central role in the exhibition, with artists showcasing the ways in which Saudi Arabia’s diverse history, influences, and creative industries shape contemporary views on art, society, and cinema. The diversity within the Kingdom is represented through the works of a stellar lineup of Saudi artists including Muhannad Shono, Lina Gazzaz, Manal AlDowayan, Ayman Zedani, Moath Alofi, Ahmed Mater, and many others. Their collective contribution demonstrates the vibrant and evolving nature of Saudi art and culture.
The Riyadh edition is especially notable for featuring newly commissioned site-specific works created specifically for SAMoCA@Jax, alongside significant pieces from the Ministry of Culture’s contemporary art collection. These fresh works are a testament to the innovative spirit of Saudi artists, and they enhance the dynamic dialogue between tradition and modernity at the heart of the exhibition.
Curator Diana Wechsler expressed her excitement about the exhibition’s diverse offerings: "Curating this exhibition has been an immensely enriching experience. The diverse voices represented in ‘Art of the Kingdom’ reflect the vibrancy and dynamism of Saudi Arabia’s artistic and cultural scene. The exhibition creates opportunities for both local creative communities and international audiences to engage in a global dialogue on cultural identity through the lens of contemporary art. I hope this exhibition provides viewers with a meaningful journey of discovery."
Mona Khazindar, an advisor to the Ministry of Culture, echoed Wechsler’s sentiments, highlighting the importance of the exhibition in showcasing Saudi Arabia’s dynamic artistic evolution. "The Museums Commission is proud to present ‘Art of the Kingdom’ at SAMoCA@Jax, an exhibition showcasing Saudi Arabia’s dynamic artistic landscape, where tradition meets innovation. We are thrilled to celebrate Saudi creative practices in this way and invite audiences, both locally and internationally, to explore our history and culture through contemporary art."
As Saudi Arabia continues to undergo a profound cultural transformation, "Art of the Kingdom" serves as an emblem of the Kingdom’s growing presence on the world stage. The exhibition highlights the diversity and ambition of contemporary Saudi artists, each forging new cultural narratives that reflect the Kingdom’s journey toward a more inclusive and innovative future. Through the eyes of these talented artists, the exhibition offers a thought-provoking and visually striking exploration of Saudi Arabia’s past, present, and future.