All Articles with the tag #Art

Saudi pottery workshop showing traditional craft within the country’s growing cultural sector.

The Return of Art to Public Life

Saudi Arabia’s creative landscape has moved from the margins to the mainstream. What was once quiet and private is now confidently displayed, redefining both public life and national identity.

Oct 25, 2025

Auctioneer standing on a truck selling dates at the Buraydah Date Market in Saudi Arabia, surrounded by traders and buyers during the lively morning auction.

Saudi Arabia Steps into the Auction World

Saudi Arabia’s auctions once meant camels, dates, and cars. With Sotheby’s now in Riyadh, the gavel is falling on paintings and prestige—signaling a cultural shift at home.

Sep 9, 2025

A diptych showing the evolution of art in Saudi Arabia: on the left, schoolchildren in a black-and-white classroom casually drawing; on the right, a young Saudi woman in a modern gallery observing a suspended dove installation.

When Art Became Serious in Saudi Arabia

What was once dismissed as “fun time” in classrooms has become a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s cultural transformation. Today, galleries in Riyadh and Jeddah attract global curators, biennales draw record audiences, and Saudi artists stand on world stages — evidence of how art has shifted from hobby to creative economy.

Sep 4, 2025

The Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, showcasing Qatar’s use of art in cultural diplomacy.

Influence by Design: Art’s Rising Role in the Gulf

Once seen as the domain of elites, contemporary art is now emerging as a powerful force in the Gulf—engaging the public, shaping minds, and becoming a central part of civic and cultural discourse. In this essay, Dr. Khawla Almarri traces how Qatar is leading this quiet revolution and why it matters for the region.

Jul 5, 2025

An AI-generated image blending Saudi cultural identity, merging past memories with future possibilities.

How AI is Transforming Saudi Art

In June 2024, the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington highlighted Saudi multimedia installation artist Daniah Alsaleh’s innovative use of AI to evoke emotional reactions and reshape historical narratives. Alsaleh’s deepfake-generated portraits challenge the certainty of memory, reflecting on the impact of media and AI in shaping perceptions.

Aug 20, 2024