RIYADH, 15 June 2007 — A display of contemporary jewelry from Britain, showcasing the work of eight young British jewelers, was jointly inaugurated by Dr. Abdulaziz Al Sebail, Deputy Minister of Culture and Information, and British Ambassador William Patey at the National Museum.
The show, entitled “Alchemy,” will run until June 27 and was organized by the Ministry of Culture and Information in cooperation with the British Council. Exhibitors include Solange Azagury-Patridge, Naomi Filmer, Tanvi Kant, Andrew Lamb, Shaun Leane, Lina Peterson, Laura Potter and Scott Wilson.
“This is another major step in strengthening the cultural relations between the two countries,” the deputy minister told newsmen here, adding that the show had paved the way for Saudi artists to visit Britain to exchange experiences. He added that five Saudi artists would participate in an Edinburgh show for contemporary arts, which will be held in the UK in August.
Alison Moloney, curator of the exhibition, said the show displays a wide range of jewelry from necklaces made of paper or recycled fabric to theatrical diamond rings and full body sculptures. “These works can be approached on many levels — aesthetic daring, technological and material innovation, commercial enterprise, semiotic or personal significance and pure craft — presenting an alternative vision of adornment for the 21st century,” she said.
The exhibition is open daily between 9 a.m. to 12 noon and 4.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.