Riyadh Art unveils 75 artworks as part of its permanent collection
In a move reflecting the rapid cultural development in Saudi Arabia, the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, through its Riyadh Art, unveiled 75 new artworks to its permanent collection displayed across various locations in the capital. This initiative is part of an ongoing effort to expand the presence of art in public spaces, and includes ambitious plans to add 115 new works in the coming period, further solidifying Riyadh's position as a global art destination.
The launch of Riyadh Art and Saudi Vision 2030
Riyadh Art, officially launched in 2019, is one of the world's largest public art projects and a key component of Saudi Vision 2030. Since its inception, the program has aimed to transform the Saudi capital into an open-air art gallery, blending tradition and modernity. Over the years, the program has successfully launched several significant initiatives, such as the annual Noor Riyadh Festival and the Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium. These events have showcased hundreds of artworks and attracted millions of visitors from within the Kingdom and abroad, contributing to a growing and sustainable cultural landscape.
The cultural impact of Riyadh Art projects, both locally and internationally
The significance of these artworks extends beyond mere aesthetics, encompassing a profound impact on local, regional, and international levels. Locally, Riyadh Art projects enrich the daily lives of the capital's residents and foster community engagement with street art. Regionally and internationally, these initiatives solidify Riyadh's position as a capital of creativity and innovation, attracting art enthusiasts and tourists from around the world, thus bolstering the creative economy and building bridges for cultural and civilizational exchange.
Broad global and local participation
The creation of these artworks involved the exceptional participation of 35 Saudi artists, alongside more than 100 international artists representing 45 countries. The list of creators includes prominent names in the contemporary art world such as Anish Kapoor, Giuseppe Penone, and Jeff Koons. The works of pioneering and contemporary Saudi artists such as Zaman Jassim, Mohammed Al-Saleem, and Manal Al-Dowayan are also featured. These works are distributed throughout the streets, main thoroughfares, cultural centers, and squares, allowing residents and visitors to interact with them daily and making them an integral part of the rhythm of life in the capital.
Modern artworks blend into the urban fabric
The artworks are executed through a carefully considered mix of commissioned and acquired pieces, with commissioned works specifically designed to suit their locations and integrate with their urban surroundings. Engineer Bader Al-Shunaifi, Senior Manager of the program, explained that these works are designed to be part of the city's daily experience, noting that their placement was based on a thorough study of pedestrian traffic patterns to ensure their seamless integration into the city's squares and public spaces.
Among the most prominent recent works unveiled were: “The Void Phase” by Nobu Sekina at the Sports Trail; “Balance” by Giuseppe Penone at the King Abdulaziz Historical Center; “The Family Tree” by Subodh Gupta at the King Abdullah Financial District; “Golden Dunes” by Zaman Jassim; and a work by Ahmed Angawi that combines geometric compositions with sound. Also included was “Running Beyond” by Angelo Bonello on the pedestrian bridge at the intersection of King Abdulaziz Road and Hisham Bin Abdulmalik Road, which transforms the crossing point into a stunning visual landmark that blends movement and light.
In the Diplomatic Quarter, Jeff Koons’s “Diamond (Red)” and Anish Kapoor’s “Mirror of the Sky – Blue” stand out. The collection also includes the acquisition and restoration of works by the late Saudi artist Mohammed Al Saleem, in preparation for their exhibition. These latest commissions are based on an international competition that attracted 161 artists, resulting in 70 artistic proposals, with future plans to create 12 monumental sculptures in collaboration with renowned artists such as Alexander Calder and Janet Eshelman.
