RIYADH, 18 February — Asir Governor Prince Khaled Al-Faisal and Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, opened at the Al-Faisaliah Hall of the King Faisal Foundation complex here last night a joint exhibition of paintings by the two princes, entitled "Painting and Patronage".
A distinguished gathering, including members of the royal family, diplomats, Saudi Ambassador to Britain, Dr. Ghazi Al-Gosaibi, and British Ambassador to the Kingdom Derek Plumbly, attended the inaugural show. The exhibition has been sponsored by BAe Systems and Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies.
The exhibition, intended to promote Saudi-British cultural ties, was held last summer at the historic Banqueting Hall in London. On view are a collection of landscape paintings by Prince Khaled and watercolors by Prince Charles.
They bring to the fore the contrasting landscapes -- from undulating sand dunes and aspects of Arab horsemanship to scenes captured by Prince Charles during his sojourn in Europe, Turkey and other Muslim countries.
Welcoming Prince Charles, Prince Khaled expressed his delight in having the second run of the exhibition in Riyadh. He said cultural events of this kind could go a long way in cementing bilateral relations.
Prince Khaled said the Saudi art projects the beauty of the desert, its flora and fauna, sunrise and sunset, the rejuvenating impact of rain, and the Arabian horse shimmering in all its glory.
Describing Prince Charles as a renowned artist, Prince Khaled said he had the privilege of exhibiting his own works along with those of the Prince of Wales in London. He hoped that this cultural interaction between them would strengthen the foundation of the Saudi-British ties.
Speaking on the occasion, Prince Charles said the Saudi culture and arts "fill me with joy and a shared appreciation of beauty, its intellect and a civilizing difference of arts and all that it stands for."
Later, Prince Charles, accompanied by Prince Khaled, went round the exhibition. He also exchanged pleasantries with the members of the British community in Riyadh.
