‘Gulf Art Movements’ exhibition showcases history of Arab creatives

‘Gulf Art Movements’ exhibition showcases history of Arab creatives
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Guest curator Aisha Stoby during a media tour at the exhibition. (Supplied)
‘Gulf Art Movements’ exhibition showcases history of Arab creatives
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Abdulhalim Radwi, Harat Al-Sham in Al-Balad, 1985, Art Jameel Collection. (Nada Hameed)
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‘Gulf Art Movements’ exhibition showcases history of Arab creatives
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Thuraya Al Baqsami, the artwork titled: Funeral, 1985. Barjeel Art Foundation, Sharjah. (Nada Hameed)
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Abdulhalim Radwi, Hajj Day 1987, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern art, Doha. (Nada Hameed)
‘Gulf Art Movements’ exhibition showcases history of Arab creatives
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Anwar Sonya, Fatma 2005, video installation, private collection. (Nada Hameed)
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Updated 23 May 2025
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‘Gulf Art Movements’ exhibition showcases history of Arab creatives

‘Gulf Art Movements’ exhibition showcases history of Arab creatives
  • 50 artists from 1930s to 2000s at Jeddah’s Hayy Jameel
  • Curator Aisha Stoby highlights leadership role of artists

JEDDAH: Art Jameel launched the “Gulf Art Movements” exhibition on Thursday to trace the evolution of modern creatives in the Arabian Gulf from the 1930s to the early 2000s.

The exhibition at Hayy Jameel in Jeddah, titled “Redrawing the Boundaries: Art Movements and Collectives of the 20th Century Khaleej” opened on May 22 and runs until Oct. 15.

It features works by more than 50 artists, drawn from 20 state and private collections, and traces the evolution of modern art movements in the Arabian Gulf from the 1930s to the early 2000s.

The “Redrawing the Boundaries” show explores the emergence and development of key art movements across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

It examines how artists responded to dramatic shifts in their urban environments and societies while engaging with themes including changing landscapes, public and private spheres, and the rise of formal art institutions.

The exhibition includes works from the Art Jameel Collection alongside loans from notable public and private collections, including Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Barjeel Art Foundation, the Sultanate of Oman’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth Collection, and the Sharjah Art Foundation.

Featuring over 80 works, the exhibition highlights a variety of influences —from local folklore and traditions to Western modernist movements, as well as Egyptian and South Asian visual cultures.

From the calligraphic abstraction of Hurufiyya, an artistic movement exploring the potential of Arabic script, to the experimental ethos of collectives such as The Five, The Circle, and the Shatta Collective, the exhibition captures the innovative spirit that defined a generation of artists.

These artists not only shaped national art movements but also worked collaboratively, founded institutions, and envisioned new futures for art in the Gulf.

The show builds on an earlier exhibition curated by Aisha Stoby titled “Khaleej Modern: Pioneers and Collectives from the Arabian Peninsula,” which was held at New York University Abu Dhabi Art Gallery in 2022.

In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Stoby elaborated on her curatorial approach.

“They were artists who were not just foundational figures within their practices, who are without question leaders of the art movements within their own countries, but were influential through all these criteria.”

“They were establishing institutions, mentoring, and building movements. So it was above and beyond the artwork.”

The exhibition is organized into four thematic sections: “The Landscape and Public Sphere,” “Identity and Private Space,” “Abstraction and Ephemerality,” and “The Conceptual New Wave.”

Stoby said: “For me what became very pronounced is if you look at the material thematically, with it comes chronologies and with it comes geographies.”

“It seemed eventually that the most natural way that these conversations could come out themselves was by putting it into a thematic structure,” she added.

The exhibition opens with a pairing of paintings in the first section, dedicated to landscape and public space. The two works, by Abdulkarim Al-Orrayed and Abdulhalim Radwi, set the tone for a dialogue between cities, histories, and artistic legacies.

Al-Orrayed, a seminal figure in Bahraini modern art and a founding force behind numerous art institutions and ateliers, presents a large painting capturing the development of Manama — its houses, buildings, and evolving urban identity.

In contrast, Radwi’s piece captures the vibrancy of Jeddah’s historic district, Al-Balad. His depiction of movement and bustle evokes the city’s rich cultural rhythm.

Displayed side by side, these works create one of Stoby’s favorite moments in the exhibition, “A conversation between two city centers,” reflecting shared regional experiences through local lenses.

The second section, features deeply emotional and historical pieces, including two evocative works by Kuwaiti artist Thuraya Al-Baqsami.

Created during the Gulf War, one of them is “Note to the Invasion” and “The Parting” of two people who are in love and being separated. It explores themes of separation, loss, migration and resilience.

“One piece reflects the devastation of conflict, while the other speaks to the aching tenderness of lovers pulled apart by war. These artworks do more than document — they humanize a collective trauma experienced across the Gulf,” said Stoby.

In the third section, themed around abstraction and ephemerality, another wall greets visitors with three interconnected works. Among them is a piece by Abdulhalim Radwi portraying the Hajj, sourced from the Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art.

“It is an act of symbolic homecoming as the artwork returns to Jeddah, the city it represents. Beside it hangs ‘Worshippers Leaving the Mosque’ by Abdulrahman Al-Soliman.

“Together, these paintings resonate as a spiritual dialogue between two pioneering artists: one rooted in Jeddah, the other in Riyadh.

“The wall extends further with contributions from Khalifa Al-Qattan and Ali Al-Mahmeed, artists who reflect on the multifaceted ways religion is experienced in daily life across the region,” said Stoby.

Finally, on the upper floor — where conceptual and new media works take center stage — a deeply symbolic film by Omani artist Anwar Sonya stands out.

Known for his landscapes and cross-border artistic relationships, Sonya here turns his lens toward memory and myth. The work began as a documentary about a prominent woman who led an art institution in Kuwait.

During filming, a coffee cup reading foretold she would live a long and dynamic life, only for her to pass away shortly thereafter.

“The project transformed into an elegiac reflection on mortality, folklore, and the unseen threads that bind lives and legacies. It became an artwork looking at her memory,” said Stoby.

It portrays “our relationship to myth, what is real, and what meaning we can hold onto,” Stoby added.

Nora Razian, Art Jameel’s deputy director and head of exhibitions and programs, said that “Redrawing the Boundaries” offers “a compelling rethink of modernism.”

Razian added that it adds “significantly to the study and understanding of a distinct aesthetic that developed across the Khaleej with a focus on the 1930s through to the early 2000s, a time of state formation, nation building and social transformation.”

She added that the exhibition “foregrounds the critical and foundational roles artists played in shaping institutions and cultivating creative communities during times of transformation.”


Saudi communications minister urges decisive action, global cooperation to address AI divide

Saudi communications minister urges decisive action, global cooperation to address AI divide
Updated 12 July 2025
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Saudi communications minister urges decisive action, global cooperation to address AI divide

Saudi communications minister urges decisive action, global cooperation to address AI divide
  • World faces ‘existential gap’ due to alarming disparities in access to AI technologies: Abdullah Al-Swaha 
  • Urgent action needed as the next 10 years will be critical for bridging the divides, he said at an ITU event

GENEVA: Saudi Arabia’s minister of communications and IT has called for “decisive international collaboration” to address the inequality in computing infrastructure that could leave other nations behind in this era of artificial intelligence.

In a keynote address at the 160th anniversary of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Minister Abdullah Al-Swaha cited the “concentration of computing power in a few regions, the lack of AI infrastructure in many countries, and the limited participation of the Global South in shaping governance frameworks and regulatory policies.”

“Today, the world faces an ‘existential gap’ due to alarming disparities in access to AI technologies,” the minister said, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Alswaha said the world could learn lessons from the past phases of technological transformation: the analog era, which took over a century to connect 800 million people, and the digital era, which linked 5.5 billion individuals in just 50 years but still left 2.6 billion unconnected.

Minister Al-Swaha said Saudi Arabia under King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had positioned the Kingdom as a global leader in the age of AI through a series of bold initiatives. (SPA)

In the AI era, he said, current gaps exist in computing infrastructure, data availability, and algorithms that could slow the advances needed to support human progress.

Al-Swaha reiterated Saudi Arabia’s ”unwavering commitment“ to support and lead international efforts to close the emerging technological divides. 

He highlighted Saudi Arabia’s efforts to address these gaps, citing the digital empowerment of women in the Kingdom — who now have a participation rate of about 35 percent —  and the Kingdom’s top global rankings in digital competitiveness for two consecutive years. 

He also noted that researchers at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) rank among the top one percent globally in scientific citations, offering hope for the future of AI.

Minister Abdullah Al-Swaha and his delegation. (SPA)

He likewise underlined the Kingdom’s progress in data protection regulations and the development of ”language models that promote inclusive access to technology for diverse communities.“

Al-Swaha further cited the HUMAIN project launched by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman "to provide the full spectrum of AI capabilities, from advanced processors to top talent, and to position the Kingdom as a global AI pioneer."

“The Kingdom’s efforts are a direct response to urgent global challenges,” he said.

Al-Swaha emphasized that the next 10 years will be critical for bridging the divides. He called for multination “partnerships under the umbrella of the ITU to build a fair, safe, and inclusive AI ecosystem that supports sustainable development and enhances human well-being.”


Al-Shaddad: A traditional invention reflecting human ingenuity in conquering the desert

Al-Shaddad: A traditional invention reflecting human ingenuity in conquering the desert
Updated 42 min 32 sec ago
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Al-Shaddad: A traditional invention reflecting human ingenuity in conquering the desert

Al-Shaddad: A traditional invention reflecting human ingenuity in conquering the desert
  • Used for riding camels and transporting supplies across deserts, it embodies the deep heritage and ingenuity of early communities in adapting to the harsh desert environment

RAFHA: The “shaddad” stands as one of the oldest artisanal innovations in the Arabian Peninsula, serving as an essential tool in Bedouin life.

Used for riding camels and transporting supplies across deserts, it embodies the deep heritage and ingenuity of early communities in adapting to the harsh desert environment.

Crafted from curved wood and fixed to the front and rear of a camel’s back, the shaddad is supported by a cushion placed between the wooden arcs, ensuring balance and comfort during long journeys. It served as a vital companion during nomadic travel, trade expeditions, and the transportation of passengers and goods over vast, rugged terrain.

Its design varies based on function, with one type designated for riding and another for carrying heavy loads — underscoring the profound bond between humans and camels, the indispensable icons of desert life.
 

Despite the evolution of modern transportation, the shaddad endures as a unique heritage icon. (SPA)

Despite the evolution of modern transportation, the shaddad remains a fixture in cultural and heritage displays, often featured as a decorative piece in guest areas and traditional markets. It serves as a symbol of authenticity and a tangible link to ancestral roots.

This artisanal innovation reflects the resourcefulness of ancient communities in utilizing local materials to create practical tools that reflect sustainability, innovation, and a cultural identity centered on the camel as a symbol of endurance, strength, and adaptability.

Today, the shaddad endures as a unique heritage icon, carrying a powerful message about the importance of preserving folklore and honoring its symbols in cultural forums, reinforcing values of self-reliance and harmony with nature.

 


How organic beekeeping is transforming a traditional Saudi industry into a model of sustainable growth

How organic beekeeping is transforming a traditional Saudi industry into a model of sustainable growth
Updated 12 July 2025
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How organic beekeeping is transforming a traditional Saudi industry into a model of sustainable growth

How organic beekeeping is transforming a traditional Saudi industry into a model of sustainable growth
  • Over 15,000 beekeepers in the Kingdom now use modern hives, transforming honey into a major economic and export sector
  • Government support, organic certification, and participation in exhibitions have helped scale production for international markets

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s honey sector is experiencing a quiet revolution, one that blends centuries-old beekeeping traditions with the precision of modern sustainable agriculture.

Once an overlooked element of rural life, honey production in the Kingdom is now gaining global recognition, fueled by organic certification, government support and the determination of pioneering beekeepers.

Among the leading figures shaping this transformation is Jassim Almughrabi, Saudi Arabia’s first certified organic honey producer and owner of Mughrabi Apiaries.

With decades of experience, including his tenure as a honeybee specialist at the Ministry of Agriculture, Almughrabi discussed with Arab News the profound shift that has taken place in recent years.

“After the government showed strong interest in organic agriculture, things became much more comfortable for us,” he said. 

“I had already registered as an organic honey producer, but when the Ministry of Agriculture started giving support and donations to beekeepers who wanted to convert from conventional to organic, our production improved significantly.”

This institutional backing has allowed local beekeepers to grow their operations and expand into new markets.

Almughrabi highlighted how the ministry not only facilitated certifications but also opened doors for beekeepers to participate in national exhibitions like BIOFACH Saudi Arabia, a major event now held annually in Riyadh.

Saudi beekeepers are now a regular participant in BIOFACH, the annual international exhibition for organic products sponsored by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture. (SPA)

“Through the Organic Cooperative Society, we are even allowed to participate free of charge,” he said. “The government really helped us spread our presence in the field, and we thank them for that.”

At the heart of Saudi Arabia’s beekeeping heritage lies a deep knowledge of traditional methods, especially in the mountainous regions of Makkah, Madinah, Abha, Al-Baha and Taif.

For centuries, beekeepers in these areas used hollowed logs to house bees, drawing from nature to sustain their practices. While this form of beekeeping still holds cultural value, a shift began around 45 years ago when the ministry encouraged farmers to adopt modern beehive systems.

Mangrove trees along the Kingdom's Arabian Gulf coast pllay an important role in beekeeping. (Supplied)

“I was working in the Ministry of Agriculture back then,” said Almughrabi. “We conducted training courses to help traditional beekeepers transition to modern methods, like the Langstroth hive used in Europe and America. Now, more than 15,000 beekeepers across the Kingdom have adopted these techniques.”

This has transformed the industry, making Saudi honey a highly sought-after commodity.

Mansour Al-Mgaslah, beekeeper and supervisor of the Mangrove Honey Production Initiative said: “The honey sector in the Kingdom has witnessed a remarkable transformation in recent years, driven by a growing awareness of the importance of sustainable beekeeping practices. 

Mangrove flowers help sustain bee populations. (Supplied)

“Beekeepers are now committing to environmental and health standards and adopting modern technologies to preserve the health of both bees and plants.”

This transition is not without its challenges. Desertification, pesticide use, and climate change are pressing environmental issues that threaten both bee populations and floral diversity.

However, both Almughrabi and Al-Mgaslah believe sustainable beekeeping offers practical solutions. By encouraging vegetation restoration and reducing chemical dependencies, beekeepers can help preserve ecosystems that bees and honey production rely on.

Beekeeping boxes set up for harvesting. (Supplied)

“Some of the major challenges include the shrinking of natural pastures and increasing desertification,” said Al-Mgaslah. “Sustainable beekeeping helps restore ecological balance by preserving bees as sensitive and effective environmental indicators.”

Al-Mgaslah shared the sentiment.

“Biodiversity is not just an environmental value. It is essential for ensuring the continuity of high-quality honey production,” he said. “Native plants such as sidr, samar, talh and mangrove provide bees with rich and pure nectar sources. Supporting this biodiversity contributes to building a more resilient and stable ecosystem.”

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Almughrabi says government schemes have already begun to yield results. “When Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched the Saudi Green Initiative, valleys were protected from overgrazing and greenery started returning,” he said.

“This led to a noticeable increase in honey production. Ten years ago, we produced less than 1 kilogram of honey per hive. Now, we sometimes get 1.5 to 2 kilograms.”

The role of native bees and local flora in this equation cannot be overstated. Indigenous bee species, such as the Arabian honeybee, have shown better resilience and adaptability to the Kingdom’s varied climate.

Saudi Arabia’s honey industry is proving that sustainability, tradition, and innovation can work in harmony. (Supplied)

In contrast, imported bees often struggle to survive beyond one or two harvest cycles.

“In the middle of Saudi Arabia, beekeepers often use imported bees,” said Almughrabi. “But they aren’t as strong. Local bees are very good, very strong, and after the harvest we can even transport them to other regions like Jazan or Al-Lith, where the climate is warmer in winter. We don’t have to buy new bees every year.”

The cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s sustainable honey movement is its organic certification system, monitored by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. The process is rigorous and includes criteria such as pesticide-free pastures, natural nutrition without antibiotics or sugar, and complete traceability from hive to shelf.

With an organic certification system in place, Saudi Arabia's honey industry is poised to export to the world market. (Supplied)

“To be certified organic in the Kingdom means that your honey is free from any chemical or industrial interventions at every stage,” said Al-Mgaslah. “Beekeepers must meet strict environmental and documentation standards, and the certification is granted only through authorized, ministry-recognized bodies.”

With international demand for clean, traceable, and eco-conscious products on the rise, both experts believe Saudi Arabia is poised for a golden era in honey exports.

“The Kingdom holds an exceptional opportunity to become a global leader in organic honey production,” said Al-Mgaslah.

Locally produced honey. (Supplied)

“Thanks to its unique botanical diversity, rich heritage, and government support, Saudi honey can meet the growing global demand for authentic, natural products.”

Almughrabi added: “We believe the future of Saudi honey lies in expanding exports and entering niche markets that value quality and authenticity. With continued support, we can make Saudi honey a global name.”

In a land long associated with arid deserts, Saudi Arabia’s honey industry is proving that sustainability, tradition, and innovation can work in harmony. The result is more than just honey — it is a model for agricultural resilience and cultural pride.
 

 


Saudi Arabia praised at UN for global leadership on dust storm early warnings

Saudi Arabia praised at UN for global leadership on dust storm early warnings
Updated 12 July 2025
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Saudi Arabia praised at UN for global leadership on dust storm early warnings

Saudi Arabia praised at UN for global leadership on dust storm early warnings
  • The meeting highlighted the Kingdom’s $10 million commitment over five years to strengthen early warning systems

NEW YORK: Saudi Arabia’s international efforts to combat sand and dust storms were commended this week during a high-level meeting at the UN Headquarters in New York, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.

The meeting highlighted the Kingdom’s $10 million commitment over five years to strengthen early warning systems and support countries vulnerable to dust storm impacts.

The initiative, led by Saudi Arabia in cooperation with regional centers affiliated with the World Meteorological Organization, was praised for enhancing forecasting and response capabilities.

Jumaan bin Saad Al-Qahtani, deputy CEO of the National Center of Meteorology, emphasized the Kingdom’s work through Vision 2030 programs such as the Saudi and Middle East Green Initiatives.

He also noted the establishment of the Regional Center for Dust and Sand Storms in Jeddah as a strategic hub for regional coordination, data exchange, and capacity building.

Saudi Arabia has hosted major research events, including the First International Conference on Dust and Sand Storms in Riyadh, and plans to hold a second edition in 2026.

Its environmental efforts have resulted in planting over 142 million trees and reclaiming more than 436,000 hectares of degraded land.

Al-Qahtani reaffirmed the Kingdom’s readiness to expand international partnerships to reduce dust sources, protect the environment, and improve resilience against climate change, SPA added.


New dates set for UN Palestinian statehood conference co-chaired by France, Saudi Arabia

New dates set for UN Palestinian statehood conference co-chaired by France, Saudi Arabia
Updated 12 July 2025
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New dates set for UN Palestinian statehood conference co-chaired by France, Saudi Arabia

New dates set for UN Palestinian statehood conference co-chaired by France, Saudi Arabia
  • Originally scheduled for June 17-20, the event was postponed after Israel launched its 12-day war against Iran on June 13
  • The aim of the conference, rescheduled for July 28-29, is the urgent adoption of concrete measures leading to implementation of a 2-state solution

NEW YORK: An international conference organized and co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France to discuss Palestinian statehood that was postponed last month has been rescheduled for later this month.

“The two-state solution ministerial conference will resume on July 28 and 29; details will be shared shortly,” diplomats confirmed to Arab News on Friday.

Originally scheduled for June 17-20, the event, officially titled the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, was postponed after Israel launched its 12-day military operation against Iran on June 13.

The event, convened by the UN General Assembly, will take place at the UN headquarters in New York. The aim is the urgent adoption of concrete measures that will lead to the implementation of a two-state solution and end decades of conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.

At the time of the postponement last month, French President Emmanuel Macron said the conference was being put back for logistical and security reasons but insisted it would be held “as soon as possible.”

The delay did not “call into question our determination to move forward with the implementation of the two-state solution,” he added

Macron is expected to officially announce French recognition of a Palestinian state during the event. This week, he urged UK authorities to do the same.

Palestine is officially recognized by 147 of the UN’s 193 member states. It holds observer status within the organization but is denied full membership.

Speaking during a preparatory UN meeting in May, Manal Radwan, a counselor at the Saudi Foreign Ministry, said the conference comes at a moment of “historic urgency” in which Gaza was “enduring unimaginable suffering.”

She said Saudi Arabia was honored to stand with the other nations committed to diplomatic efforts to bring “real, irreversible and transformative change, to ensure, once and for all, the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine.”