CULTURE & HERITAGE
Best ways to experience art in Riyadh
Futuristic, cosmopolitan, avant-garde. New definitions are coined, as Riyadh keeps growing its ambition to become the new art destination for the Middle East.
Words by Naima Morelli
The Riyadh art scene is becoming more lively by the day, thanks to an ever-growing calendar of Biennales, festivals, and events. Among these are the much-awaited light festival Noor Riyadh, brightening up the city throughout December, and the second edition of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, from February 20 to May 24, 2024, at Jax District.
Here are seven art spaces you shouldn’t miss, to understand what contemporary art means in a bustling country that is undergoing such rapid social change.
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Redesigned according to Richard Florida’s model of art industries, Jax is the Saudi response to Beijing’s 798 Art District and Singapore’s Gillman Barracks. The former forgotten industrial area just outside of Riyadh has become today one of the most exciting creative areas of Riyadh. The place has always had a lot of potential, being close to the UNESCO World Heritage site of At-Turaif. That’s why it has been chosen as the home to the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale.
As you walk through the district, you see mural paintings that represent Saudi’s expressive faces, or pivotal moments from the local art history, realized by artists such as Mohammed Abdu and Talal Maddah. The sensation is of a hive of creativity, with exhibition spaces, artists’ studios, art galleries, and workshops always open to visitors. Contributing to the country’s larger vision, Jax is definitely a platform to enhance Saudi’s growing arts ecosystem, while keeping pace with international trends.
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Beyond the red door of Naila’s Art Gallery, there is a treasure trove. A mandatory spot for a Riyadh gallery tour, this space has established itself as a bridge between local and international art scenes since its very inception in 2012. Comprising two large spaces within the gallery, Naila has hosted over 300 exhibitions by both established and emerging Saudi artists, including Abdullah Al Marzook, Ahlam Al Shedoukhy, and Shrouq Bnt Fahad, and regional artists like Kuwait painter Maha Alaskar.
Determined to provide the international public with new perspectives on the Arab world, Naila recently developed a prestigious collaboration with the Parisian Institute du Monde Arabe, for the major traveling exhibition, ’25 Years of Arab Creativity’.
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Sleek and elegant, Mono Gallery was founded by Saudi businessman Momen Al-Muslimani in 2018 in order to expand his own cultural interests, and those of his fellow citizens. The gallery is showcasing a mix of multidisciplinary Saudi and Middle Eastern talents and is making its mark at art fairs as well, with works exploring photography, geometry, and architecture.
Mono Gallery’s focus is often on female artists, both Saudi, such as Reem Al-Faisal, Lulwah Al-Homoud, Tarfah Al-Saud, and Kholood Al-Bakr, and from the region, like emerging Egyptian artist Amani Mousa. The work of the gallery is also educational, with seminars, symposiums, talks, and even film evenings dedicated to the masters of art, sparking an interest amongst locals that will translate eventually into Saudi collectorship.
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When she founded Ahlam Studio, Saudi artist and collector Ahlam Alshedoukhy had a vision to create “a muse-worthy space.” She drew on her own rich experience as an artist and businesswoman to meaningfully engage with the local art scene.
The studio is in Olaya Street, in the lively downtown Riyadh and has become a gathering point for local creatives and art enthusiasts to share ideas and learn about artistic growth and development. A firm favourite on Saudi’s ever-growing art scene, the gallery space is dedicated to rotating temporary exhibitions, while the rest of the building hosts a permanent collection. Beyond the shows, Ahlam Gallery also publishes, researches, curates, and collaborates with different art institutions.
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Take the elevator to the 52nd floor of the popular Kingdom Tower, in Riyadh centre, and let yourself be surprised by the variety of shows taking place at Hewar Art Gallery. Whether you’ll encounter video art or painting, one thing is for sure: you won’t be disappointed. ‘Hewar’ means dialogue in Arabic, since the space was founded in 2005, it held the vision to contribute to the cultural discussion in the country.
Back then the art world was not much developed yet, so the gallery has been wearing many hats, organising shows, holding discussions on the modern masters of Arabic art, sponsoring young talents and encouraging collectors through art consulting, as well as archiving documents and publications about the local art production.
Practical information
Visas
It’s surprisingly simple and easy to get an e-Visa for Saudi and the process is very similar to applying for an ESTA for the USA. Over 50 nationalities are eligible to apply for an e-Visa, including people from the UK and USA, with it costing (at the time of writing) 535 Saudi riyals (about £115 or US$143). Applications are swift and nearly all applicants will receive a response within three working days – most within 24 hours. To apply for your Saudi e-Visa, visit the official Saudi Tourism Authority website. If you’re from the USA, UK or the Schengen Area, you can also apply for a visa on arrival into Saudi. It’s slightly cheaper than an e-Visa, too, at SAR480 (about £102 or US$128).
Getting there & around
Local customs
To really embrace Saudi life and pay respect towards its traditions, there are a few local customs you should abide when travelling around the country. Both men and women should wear clothing that covers their elbows and below their knees when out in public. If you’re heading to the coast, it’s still expected you dress modestly. When meeting and greeting locals, whether it’s a market stallholder or a private guide, say hello with ‘salam alaykum’, which means ‘peace be upon you’, as well as offering a handshake.
Weather
You might think it’s hot all year round in Saudi but it’s a little more nuanced than that. The best time to visit Riyadh is between October and March, when temperatures can dip as low as 20°C during the daytime and rarely exceed 30°C. Summer months in Riyadh can get extremely hot, with temperatures often above 40°C between June and September.
Is English spoken in Saudi?
Arabic is the official national language but English is widely spoken.
What is the currency of Saudi?
The currency of Saudi is the riyal, with the current rate (at the time of writing), around SAR4.76 to the UK£. You’ll need to pre-order money before you travel, as in the UK it’s not usually stocked in currency exchange booths.
What’s it like travelling in Saudi as a female?
We think you’d be surprised! To find out more, read our first-hand account on what it’s like to travel in Saudi.
What’s the time difference in Saudi?
Saudi follows Arabia Standard Time (GMT +3) all year round.
