Last week was special for the Saudi artists in Christie's Fine Art Auctions – Middle East, which was held in Dubai, UAE. In the auction, artworks of artists from all over the world were displayed, including outstanding artworks for Saudi artists within the framework of "Edge of Arabia" exhibition, which is supported by ALJ Community Initiatives. The auction witnessed a new record through an artwork made by the contemporary Saudi artists Abdulnaser Gharim titled "Message/Messenger". The artwork is a 3 meter-height dome of wood and copper representing the Dome of the Rock Mosque in Jerusalem. The price of the work reached USD 842,500, which equals ten times its starting price. In an interview, the Saudi artists Abdulnaser Gharim said about his achievement:

I didn't believe it. I thought I was dreaming, but I was astonished when I the news was confirmed.

I take this opportunity to dedicate this achievement to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, who continuously support the sons of this country. There was fierce competition between three collectors from three continents to possess the artwork. I think this is an obvious indication that our art language has become universal, and can reach a huge category in the world.

I started a hobbyist. I love classics. I practiced several art schools, such the realistic and abstract schools. Then, I became one of the fist founders of "Edge of Arabia" group, when I met with Mr. Steven, who was visiting the Southern province. We met in Al Miftaha village, and started creating the idea of "Edge of Arabia." We then selected male and female artists from various regions of the Kingdom, and prepared for the exhibition. Luckily, ALJ Community Initiatives supported us, and now our artworks are displayed in international exhibitions in several countries throughout the world.

I love doing artworks that pear an idea and a concept. My artwork, "Message/Messenger) is close to my heart. It is showing the Dome of the Rock Mosque, a holy place for every Muslim in Jerusalem. Through this work, I was seeking to display the holiness of the place.

The idea of the artwork is focusing on the competition in creative works between Abrahamic faiths. The idea was inspired from the Dome of the Rock, which was built by the Caliph Abdul Malek ben Marwan in 688, when he found that Muslims were astonished by the beauty of the dome of Al Qiyama church. Islam rejects neither the human creative works nor the beauty values. Instead, Islamic culture has made such elements part of the Islamic architecture. The dome has been made in a size reflecting its importance. Light enters through an opening at the top of the dome, and is projected to a pigeon ready to fly. The artist symbolizes the role of Islam in spreading peace.

The important part about winning is that I am living in my country, and I am taking inspiration from the culture of my country and day-to-day life. However, this fact did not prevent me from making this achievement. People believe that those who win are the artists living away from their home countries. I am proud to make this achievement. It is a new record not achieved by any living Arab artist.

I believe that arts in the Kingdom are still at the beginning, especially when compared with the world. However, we are progressing very fast. Young people in the Kingdom need more attention. For me, I was lucky with what I found from "Edge of Arabia" and ALJ Community Initiatives, who are continuously seeking to support my works and encourage me to make more successes. They helped me reach the international arena and achieving new world records. My artwork was sold at the highest price in the auction. I take this opportunity to thank, on my name and on behalf of my colleagues, ALJ Community Initiatives, who supported us and other artists in the Kingdom. They helped us reach the international exhibition to display the Saudi art.

I participated in Christie's 2009 and Sotheby's London 2010.

"Message/Messenger" was my most rewarding artwork. In fact, it was a surprise for me and for other attendees, and was the most important among artworks displayed within "Edge of Arabia" group, in which other Saudi artists participated, such as Ahmed Mattir, who sold his artwork for USD 80,000, Ayman Yusry who sold his artwork for USD 27,500, and artist Maha Al Mulawah who sold her artwork for USD 26,000.

Mr. Fadi Mohammed Abdul Latif Jameel, President of ALJ Community Initiatives expressed his pleasure for the success of Saudi artists in this international exhibition. He said that ALJ Community Initiatives will continue supporting Saudi artists through art events all over the world.

Abdullah Al Turki, creative director of "Edge of Arabia" said, "We would like to thank Christie's for providing this international platform that showed the importance of Saudi artworks. The incomes generated by such artworks would certainly empower "Edge of Arabia" to participate in raising a new generation of artists and art supervisors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."