RIYADH: A large number of paintings by Saudi artists are to be displayed for the first time at a leading Dubai art show starting next week.
“This is the first year that a Jeddah-based arts organization, Athr Gallery, has been selected to take part in Art Dubai,” said John Martin, cofounder and codirector of Art Dubai, which kicks off on March 18.
“An exclusive selection of more than 65 of the world’s leading contemporary galleries from more than 30 countries — including the first gallery from Saudi Arabia ever to take part — will gather in Dubai for the event, which is being held for the third consecutive year,” said Martin, who was speaking at a press conference in Riyadh on Monday.
Athr Gallery recently featured in the “Edge of Saudi Arabia” show in London. Presenting works by artists, such as Shadia Alem, Lulwah Al-Homoud, Baseim Al-Shargi, Noha Al-Sharif, Abdullah Hammas, Ahmed Mater, Bakur Sheikhoon and Ayman Yusri, Art Dubai would enable a wider cross section of regional and international attendees to gain a perspective on the Kingdom’s emerging arts landscape, he added.
One of the first art galleries in Saudi Arabia, Athr Gallery is dedicated to Saudi and Arab artists. The gallery was founded by art lovers Hamza Serafi and Mohammed Hafiz, who felt a need to promote modern Saudi and Arab artists. “The quality and strength of applications from galleries from Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, is proof of the continued importance of the contemporary art market in the Gulf region,” said Martin.
“The quality of Art Dubai and the tightly selected group of galleries, along with other world-class cultural projects currently under way in the Gulf, reaffirms the Middle East’s reputation as one of the most exciting and stimulating new centers of art in the world. “We have witnessed a significant growth in this sector in the Middle East, which has happened simultaneously with other exciting cultural projects in the region,” he added.
“Athr is managed by passionate and qualified people in the field of art with a mission and commitment to ensure that talented artists get the recognition they deserve and to bring art exhibitions of world masters into Saudi Arabia,” said Serafi.
Martin said this year would see an increase of 50 percent in the representation of Middle Eastern galleries, signaling the current strength of the arts and cultural industry in the region.
