For the first time ever, the Saudi contemporary art will debut around the world through the “Art of the Kingdom” traveling exhibition.
Inaugurated by the Saudi Museums Commission on November 10, 2024, the Art of the Kingdom showcases Saudi contemporary creations at the historic Paço Imperial in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
To foster cross-cultural dialogue and empower Saudi artists, the #SaudiMuseumsCommission inaugurates in Brazil #Art_of_the_Kingdom, the first travelling exhibition of Saudi contemporary art. pic.twitter.com/JAHVoYtPZt
— هيئة المتاحف (@MOCMuseums) November 10, 2024
This first-of-its-kind traveling exhibition seeks to introduce the Saudi evolving contemporary art landscape to international audiences, provide a platform for Saudi talent to showcase their creative artworks, and increase the Kingdom’s cultural representation on the global stage.
To this end, the Art of the Kingdom exhibition is taking a worldwide tour that will extend through 2025, making a stop in the Saudi Museum of Contemporary Art in the JAX district in Riyadh, before it lands in the National Museum of China in Beijing.
Under the theme “Poetic Illuminations,” the inaugural edition of this traveling exhibition features the work of 17 Saudi artists, who represent a diverse range of innovations and styles in many genres, including paintings, installations, and video and photographs.
These artistic creations spotlight Saudi Arabia’s history and cultural heritage, offering an extraordinary chance for Brazilian and global audiences to explore the Saudi contemporary art and its contributions to building new cultural narratives.
The Art of the Kingdom traveling exhibition features two main themes: desert as a symbol of vastness, infinity and life’s depth; and the uniqueness of Saudi cultural traditions and the development of visual culture throughout the ages.
The historic Imperial Palace in Rio de Janeiro adds to the exhibition’s aesthetic appeal, creating a connection between the ancient setup and the displayed contemporary artworks.
