The first travelling group exhibition of Saudi contemporary art was inaugurated today at the historic Paço Imperial in Rio de Janeiro. Titled Art of the Kingdom, this landmark exhibition introduces the public to the works of leading contemporary artists from Saudi Arabia, fostering a deeper global understanding of the Kingdom’s evolving art landscape. Debuting in Brazil, the exhibition will move on a global tour starting 2025, reaching the National Museum of China in Beijing.
Titled Poetic Illuminations, the inaugural edition of this exhibition in Brazil is curated by Diana Wechsler and features 17 Saudi artists from different generations and artistic practices, showcasing a diverse collection of artworks ranging from paintings to installations and video works. The exhibition sheds light on Saudi Arabia’s history, memory, and cultural tradition, woven artistically, offering audiences in Brazil and beyond the unique opportunity to engage with Saudi Arabia’s cultural narratives and art practices.
“Art has the power to unite people and cultures, and Art of the Kingdom exemplifies this mission,” said Mona Khazindar, Advisor to Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture. “This exhibition not only stands as a testament to the incredible talent of Saudi contemporary artists, but it also creates a platform for Saudi artists to share their stories and perspectives with the world. By launching Art of the Kingdom in Rio de Janeiro, we aim to foster cross-cultural dialogue and understanding through art, while celebrating and nurturing Saudi artists’ creativity and empowering local talents to engage with the world”.
Explaining the concept of the exhibition, curator Diana Wechsler stated: “Is it possible to approach a culture through contemporary art? How do the visual arts contribute to reconfiguring the narratives we construct about society, memory, the past, and the present? These two questions are the starting point of the exhibition”. “Through a curated selection of artists and works, the exhibition seeks to explore these themes, guided by the idea that the essence of art, in conceptual terms, is poetic illumination—its ability to symbolically shed light on the world we inhabit, revealing not only elements of our past but also our dreams, longings, and fantasies,” she emphasized.
Two main themes emerge from the exhibition’s repertoire. The first is the desert as a definition of space, infinity, and life; the second is the singularity of cultural tradition, and the evolution of a unique visual culture, shaped by diverse pasts and presents.
The stunning setting of Paço Imperial, a cultural landmark in Rio de Janeiro, adds to the beauty and significance of this exhibition, as it creates an artistic conversation between the historical setup and the contemporary works on display.
As the Kingdom proceeds on an unprecedented journey of cultural transformation, Art of the Kingdom exhibition offers a unique opportunity to explore the ways in which Saudi contemporary art contributes to shaping new cultural narratives.Participating artists: Ayman Yossri Daydban; Ahmed Mater; Emy Kat (Mohamed Alkhatib); Ayman Zedani; Shadia Alem; Nasser Al Salem; Manal Al Dowayan; Lina Gazzaz; Muhannad Shono; Sarah Brahim; Daniah Alsaleh; Faisal Samra; Filwa Nazer; Moath Alofi; Ahaad Alamoudi; Sarah Abuabdallah; Ghada Al Hassan.
Press release from the Museums Commission, Ministry of Culture Saudi Arabia
Image: Shadia Alem. Sand Flowers. 2024. Image courtesy of the artist and the Museums Commission, Ministry of Culture, 2024
