The exhibition “The Beginning…The Beginning of the Saudi Art Movement” opened at the Saudi National Museum in Riyadh, organized by the Visual Arts Authority, as one of the most prominent documentary exhibitions monitoring the formation of contemporary art in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The exhibition includes more than 250 works by 73 male and female artists who are pioneers of the Saudi art movement, dating from the 60s to the 80s of the 20th century. This era was a pivotal stage that witnessed the emergence of modern, abstract artistic experiments and the formation of the characteristics of the local plastic scene.
In addition to works of art, the exhibition will also display rare archival materials that provide a new reading of the founding period of the contemporary art movement in Saudi Arabia, in the context of a combination of individual creative efforts, the growth of cultural infrastructure, and institutional support that contributed to strengthening the foundations of Saudi plastic arts.
Dina Amin, CEO of the Visual Arts Authority, confirmed that the exhibition presents a comprehensive picture of the efforts of the pioneering artists and supporters who helped build the Saudi art movement, explaining that the exhibition provides the public with the opportunity to interact with a rich and diverse visual history that is a living reference and a source of inspiration for future generations.
The exhibition is divided into three main sections, the first section deals with the roots of the modern art movement and the beginning of art education in schools, while the second section deals with the roots of the modern art movement and the beginnings of art education in schools, while the second section deals with the influences that shaped art production at that stage, such as nature, landscape, social life, and expressive symbols. The third section highlights the pioneers of modernity among the artists who contributed to the development of the early art scene, such as Safia bin Zaghl, Abdul Halim Radwi, and Muhammad. Mr. Al Salim and Mr. Munira Moshiri.
This exhibition is the opening presentation of an extended research program initiated by the Visual Arts Authority that lasted two years and included site visits, artistic reports and documentary interviews. This will be accompanied by a cultural program such as workshops and discussion sessions, in addition to the publication of scientific books and a documentary film that will be screened later.
The exhibition was attended by a group of male and female artists from Turki: Ibrahim Al-Fassam, Ibrahim Bokkus, Ahmed Abdulaziz Al-Araj, Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, Ahmed Al-Magroos, Ahmed Al-Sabt, Ahmed Al-Zahrani, Ahmed Ferenban, Ahmed Tayeb Mansi, Badriyya Al-Nasser, Bakr Sheikhun, and Turki. Al Dosari, Jamil Al Jafri, Faisal Samra, Kamal Al Mualem, Hassan Abdel Majeed, Hamad Al Jaeed, Hamza Bajuda, Khalid Al Abdan, Hari al-Hassan Khalil, Saad al-Obaid, Muhammad al-Salim, Saad al-Masari, Sadun al-Sadun, Saud al-Aidi, Saud al-Qaftani, Suleiman Bajba , Sameer Al Daham, Saleh Khattab, Safia bin Zakr, Dia Aziz, Taha Al Saban, Abdul Jabar Al Yahya, Abdul Halim Radwi, Abdul Ha Mid Al Bakshi, Abdul Rahman Al Sulaiman, Abdul Sattar Al Musa, Abdul Aziz Al Hamad, Abdullah Al Sheikh, Abdullah Idris, Abdullah A Le Sharti, Abdullah Almarzouk, Abdullah Hamas, Abdullah Nawawi, Abd Yassin, Osman Al-Huzaim, Ali Al-Raziza, Ali Al-Safar, Ali Al-Ghamdi, Fa. Had Al-Fujairan, Fahad Al-Rubaik, Fuad Mughrabel, Faisal Al-Mashari, Muhammad Al-Ajam, Muhammad Al-Hamad, Muhammad Al-Rasis, Muha Nmad al-Sandal, Muhammad Sham, Muhammad Rasim, Muhammad al-Sacqabi, Muhammad al-Munih, Muhammad Reda Waris, Muhammad Taher Kurdi, Mufareh a Shiri, Mansour Kurdi, Munira Musri, Mahdi Rajeh, Mirza Al Saleh, Nabila Al Bassam, Nasser Al Moussa, Nabil Nazidi, Hisham Punjabi, Yousef Jaha.
The Saudi National Museum in Riyadh has launched the exhibition “The Beginning…The Beginning of the Saudi Art Movement,” organized by the Visual Arts Authority, as one of the most prominent documentary exhibitions documenting the formation of contemporary art in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The exhibition includes more than 250 works by 73 male and female artists who are pioneers of the Saudi art movement. The 1960s to 1980s date back to a pivotal period that witnessed the emergence of modern, abstract artistic experiences and the formation of the character of the local visual scene.
In addition to artworks, the exhibition will also display rare archival materials that provide a new reading of the founding period of the contemporary art movement in Saudi Arabia, in the context of the combination of individual creative efforts and the growth of the cultural infrastructure and institutional support that contributed to establishing the foundations of Saudi visual arts.
Dina Amin, CEO of the Visual Arts Authority, confirmed that the exhibition presents a comprehensive picture of the efforts of the pioneering artists and supporters who helped build the Saudi art movement, explaining that the exhibition provides the public with the opportunity to interact with a rich and diverse visual history that serves as a living reference and source of inspiration for future generations.
The exhibition is divided into three main sections. The first section covers the roots of the modern art movement and the beginnings of art education in schools, while the second section focuses on the artistic currents and themes that shaped art production at the time, including nature, landscape, social life, and expressive symbols. The third section focuses on the pioneers of modernity among the artists who contributed to the development of the early art scene, such as Safia bin Zakr, Abdulhalim Radwi, Mohammed Al Saleem, and Mounira Mousri.
The exhibition was the first announcement of an extended research program launched by the Visual Arts Authority, which lasted for two years and included site visits, artistic reports, documentary interviews, and a cultural program including workshops and discussion sessions, in addition to the subsequent publication of scientific books and documentary films.
This exhibition was attended by a group of notable artists including: Ibrahim Al Fasam, Ibrahim Boux, Ahmed Abdulaziz Al Arazi, Ahmed Al Ghamdi, Ahmed Al Magroos, Ahmed Al Sabti, Ahmed Al Zafrani, Ahmed Hrumban , Ahmed Tayeb Munshi, Badriya Al Nasser, Bakr Sheikhoun, Turki Al Dosari, Jamil Al Jafri, Faisal Samra, Kamal Al Mualim, Hassan Abdulmajid, Hamad Al-Jayed, Ham The Bajuda, Khalid al-Abdan, Khalil Hassan Khalil, Saad al-Obaid, Mohammed al-Salim, Saad al-Masari, Sadun al-Sadun, Saud al-Eidi, Saud al-Qaftani, Sulei Mambajabua, Samir Al Daham, Saleh Khattab, Safia bin Zakr, Dia Aziz, Taha Al Saban, Abduljabal Al Yahya, Abdulhalim Radwi, Abdulhamid Albaqsi, Abdullah Human Al Sulaiman, Abdulstatar Al Moussa, Abdulaziz Al Hamad, Abdullah Al Sheikh, Abdullah Idris, Abdullah Al Sharti, Abdullah Almarzouk, Abdullah Hamas, Abd Ra Nawawi, Abd Yaseen, Osman al-Kazim, Ali al-Raziza, Ali al-Safar, Ali al-Ghamdi, Fahad al-Fujairan, Fahad al-Rabek, Fuad Maghribal, Faisal al-Mushari , Mohammed Al Ajam, Mohammed Alham, Mohammed Al Rashiz, Mohammed Al Sandal, Mohammed Siam, Mohammed Rasem, Mohammed Al Sacqabi, Mohammed Al Munif, Mohammed Reda Wars, Mohammed Do Tahir Kurdi, Mufri Asiri, Mansour Kurdi, Munira Mousri, Mahdi Rajeh, Mirza al-Saleh, Nabila al-Bassam, Nasser al-Moussa, Nabil Najdi, Hisham Binjabi, Yusuf Jaha.
