Kingdom and Gates Foundation forge ‘strong and growing partnership’

RIYADH: A Saudi traveling exhibition, titled “Art of the Kingdom: Poetic Illuminations,” opened on Monday in Riyadh at the Saudi Arabian Museum of Contemporary Art following its inauguration in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil last year.

Nestled in the capital’s Jax art district, the show brings together works by 17 prominent Saudi contemporary artists from different generations, regions, and artistic practices that demonstrate the country’s burgeoning art scene.

Mona Khazindar, adviser to the Ministry of Culture, said: “The Museums Commission is proud to present ‘Art of the Kingdom’ at SAMoCA at 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.”

From paintings to installations and video works, the exhibition showcases the diversity and ambition of contemporary Saudi artists under two themes: the desert and cultural traditions.

Fatma Abdulhadi’s “It Will Heal” explores the evolving dialogue between humans and nature, where traditional practices become ongoing processes.

Inspired by an old handwritten remedy book passed down to her by her mother, it transforms layered silkscreen prints and charcoal drawings on suspended mesh. Just as plants communicate and adapt, the phrase “it will heal you, inshallah” reflects a belief in continuous connection and renewal.

“It’s a dialogue between humans and nature and everything in between, the recipe that humans do to feel safe, to feel healthy, to feel better,” Abdulhadi said.

The sheets feature prints of the plants mentioned in the book as well as recipes in Arabic. The recipes are meant to help heal both physical and emotional troubles. One of the recipes for happiness recommends drinking camel milk with a drop of amber.

Moath Alofi has two works on display: “People of Pangea” and “The Last Tashahhud.” The former is a series of photos that provide an unconventional view of various locations in Saudi, while the latter is an ongoing photo series that captures small and modest mosques on the deserted roads leading to Madinah.

“These prayer rooms aren’t the usual ones, and this is what makes them really stand out. The raw architecture, the invention that the locals, tribals, Bedouins, or even philanthropists sometimes are trying to achieve by providing travelers a place for rest and worship and prayers—it’s interesting to see the material used, the architecture.
“I think international audiences will be surprised to see something that’s not usually shown,” Alofi told Arab News.

The work is shown in contrast with the anthropological sites captured in “People of Pangea” on the opposing wall of the exhibition.

“It’s not only about the locals or the people who built the mosques but also the ancient humans that actually lived on the land of Saudi Arabia 7,000 years ago. There has always been something happening in this Kingdom.

“You can see that Saudi artists are top notch — they’re up to the challenge, and I’m honored to be part of this as well,” Alofi said about local artists making it to international frontiers.

Filwa Nazer’s “The Hands Want to See, The Eyes Want to Caress” series incorporates sewing and embroidery on mixed media. The four pieces on display, each in dialogue with the other, explore the interplay of fragility and strength.

She told Arab News: “The focus was to document and research Jeddah modernist architecture between the late 30s and early 60s. My works were inspired by one house called Beit Ba Junaid — the owner of the house and its history and how it changed and evolved, and later on deteriorated over time and abandoned.

“I love being part of these exhibitions, organized by (the Ministry of Culture) and such, because I feel they are quite accessible to everyone, first of all. Second, they’re a place to connect with Saudi youth, and I want to have that communication with them, so I’m proud to be part of it and with my peers who are all great artists and friends.”

Other featured artists include Muhannad Shono, Lina Gazzaz, Manal Al-Dowayan, Ayman Zedani, Ahmed Mater, Ahaad Al-Amoudi, Shadia Alem, Faisal Samra, Ayman Yossri Daydban, Daniah Al-Saleh, Sarah Brahim, Ahmad Angawi, Nasser Al-Salem, and Basmah Felemban.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia called for greater focus on the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories at a UN meeting in Switzerland.

The Kingdom also reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

This was part of the speech delivered by the president of the Saudi Human Rights Commission and head of the Kingdom’s delegation, Hala Al-Tuwaijri, at the high-level segment of the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Al-Tuwaijri said Saudi Arabia has made significant reforms in human rights, driven by Vision 2030, which is based on principles of equality, non-discrimination, and the right to development.

“This vision has empowered women, youth, and vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, the elderly, and migrant workers, while enhancing the quality of life for all,” Al-Tuwaijri said.

“Moreover, Vision 2030 has increased the efficiency of relevant authorities to host major global events and initiatives, with people and their rights at the heart of national priorities.”

Al-Tuwaijri emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening its legislative framework, which has built a strong legal system to protect and uphold human rights.

Through comprehensive legal reforms and new legislation, Saudi Arabia has reinforced protections for all individuals. The Kingdom now embraces a diverse society with over 15 million foreigners from more than 60 nationalities — making up over 44 percent of the population — who enjoy their rights under the highest standards of legal protection, she said.

Al-Tuwaijri reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to promoting international peace and security, guided by its core values and adherence to the UN Charter.

She also highlighted the Kingdom’s support for just causes and its proactive role in resolving global crises, including its efforts in the Ukrainian crisis.

Notably, mediation led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman resulted in several successful prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine, Al-Tuwaijri said.

“For human rights to be universally upheld, we must cultivate strong societies by confronting harmful practices that undermine social harmony, including contempt for religions, hate speech, and the weakening of family values,” she concluded.

Al-Tuwaijri reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to deepening cooperation with UN human rights mechanisms, stressing the importance of respecting diverse values and embracing cultural and civilizational diversity to protect and promote human rights.