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Arab News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Saudi artist Lulwah Al-Homoud: ‘I created a new language that cannot be read, but felt'
DUBAI: Despite her love for art, Lulwah Al-Homoud didn't set out to be an artist. But last month her work — rooted in geometry, Arabic calligraphy, and deep spiritual reflection — was on display at one of Europe's most cutting-edge digital art events. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ The Saudi artist was featured at this year's edition of The Digital Art Mile in Basel, Switzerland, (which ran alongside Art Basel) presented by the Sigg Art Foundation. A post shared by Lulwah Al Homoud (@lulwah_al_homoud) Her featured work comes from her series 'The Language of Existence' — a reimagined Arabic alphabet that uses geometric patterns inspired by Islamic art. 'I created different geometric shapes assigned to each letter,' Al-Homoud says. 'I kind of created a new language that cannot be read, but can be felt more.' 'The Language of Existence' is a perfect representation of Al-Homoud's work in general. 'I was always drawn to calligraphy and Islamic geometry — we all see these beautiful (writings) and patterns, but we don't know the meaning behind them,' she says. A post shared by Lulwah Al Homoud (@lulwah_al_homoud) It was while pursuing her master's in arts at London's Central Saint Martins that Al-Homoud really began to dig into that meaning, studying geometry and calligraphy inspired by Islamic art and learning how they were developed over centuries by different cultures. Her path to that master's was not straightforward. 'I was always an artist inside — always drawing portraits and landscapes — but I wanted to have a career,' she says. 'My family, especially wanted me to be a woman who has a career and who helps her society and all that.' She gained a bachelor's degree in sociology, and — in the late Nineties — began studying visual communication design in London before moving on to her master's. Al-Homoud began her working life curating exhibitions for Middle Eastern artists and calligraphers in London, something that helped her discover her own artistic voice. A post shared by Hafez Gallery حافظ جاليري (@hafezgallery) 'When I learned about the sophisticated ideas behind Islamic art and geometry, I said, 'That's what I want to do.' Because I felt that it was more of a universal language and it's also where art and science meet,' she says. 'I felt I wanted to do something with meaning. 'I wasn't thinking of exhibiting my work at all, but someone discovered my sketches and said, 'Your work is great. You have to show it.' And that's where it all began,' she adds. Despite that initial encouragement, Al-Homoud says it wasn't easy to establish herself as an artist in London in the early 2000s. Partly because people often made assumptions about her before even talking to her, based on her ethnicity and religion. 'When I did exhibitions, they would come and ask me the wrong questions — they wouldn't look at the art and relate to it,' she says. 'It took time for people to realize that artists speak a universal language. Art really brings people together, while the world (wants to impose) divisions and categorization.' While her art may have universal appeal, it is also heavily inspired by Al-Homoud's personal beliefs. 'I (learned about) and met a lot of people in the art field who were using this calligraphy and geometry,' she says. 'I feel this kind of art really reflects your spirituality and your connection to God more than any other, and this is the reason why Muslim artists kept doing it for all these years,' she says. 'When I create art, I lose myself to Allah. That's why people say it feels peaceful.' Al-Homoud has founded an art center in Riyadh called Isdar, dedicated to teaching fine art and printing and to inspiring young artists. 'I feel it's my time now to give. I had an experience that wasn't that easy — it's much easier now for artists in Saudi Arabia. But you need to educate them to be good artists, not just artists,' she says. 'When you come to our space, you see me as a collector, as an educator, as an artist, and as a curator. I'm hoping to have a small museum in the future as well.' Al-Homoud urges aspiring artists to be patient, and to be honest about their abilities and goals. And, most importantly, she says, 'Stay humble. One of the greatest things I have learned from studying Islamic art is to be humble, no matter how successful or how big your name is.'
Syyaha
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Syyaha
A Landmark Exhibition Redefining Artistic Accessibility in Saudi Arabia
Sunday, 29 Shawwal 1446 / 27 April 2025:: Fragments of Folklore is a world-class exhibition presenting cultural identity through art, bridging tradition and contemporary practice, and redefining the accessibility of artistic expression in Saudi Arabia and exhibition marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of contemporary art in Saudi Arabia as the kingdom reshapes its cultural landscape through its Vision 2030 reform plans. Fragments of Folklore reflects this paradigm shift via its featured artists (Lulwah Al Homoud, Rashid Al Khalifa, Raeda Ashour and Hamra Abbas) who all explore the ongoing tension between tradition and three-quarters of the artists featured in Fragments of Folklore are female, including two Saudi artists (Al Homoud and Ashour); which aligns with the Saudi Arabia Vision 2030 plans to increase female empowerment and exhibition, which takes place in Riyadh's JAX District (also known as the epicenter of Saudi Arabia's burgeoning contemporary arts scene), also marks a first-of-its-kind collaboration between three pioneering institutions – THAA (Saudi Arabia), MIR'A Art (Paris/Middle East) and TRIYAD (Belgium) – all uniting their expertise to bridge local and global artistic discourse. At a time when the Middle East's artistic landscape is expanding at an unprecedented pace, Fragments of Folklore isn't just an exhibition – it is a cultural statement, an invitation to rethink accessibility, identity, and the evolving role of art in a rapidly transforming society. FRAGMENTS OF FOLKLORE: FEATURED ARTISTSFolklore is often thought of as an oral tradition – stories, myths, and legends passed down through generations. Yet, folklore is more than narrative; it is also a language of symbols, patterns, as well as a conduit for conduit for cultural preservation. Whether it's Bruegel's peasant scenes, Goya's dark mythologies, Marc Chagall's folkloric dreamscapes or Frida Kahlo's deeply personal narratives, folklore has served as both an anchor to history and a catalyst for innovation in Fragments of Folklore, Hamra Abbas, Lulwah Al Homoud, Rashid Al Khalifa and Raeda Ashour all engage with elements of their cultural heritage, translating them into contemporary artistic expressions. Here, folklore is not a static relic of the past but a dynamic archive of identity, reshaped and reimagined across time and geography. The exhibition coincides with Saudi Arabia's Year of Handicrafts 2025, an initiative that foregrounds artisanal heritage while redefining its relevance in contemporary artist works with fragments of inherited knowledge – whether through geometry, calligraphy, materiality, or abstraction. Their works echo the past while asserting their place in the present, engaging with motifs and forms that have carried meaning for centuries but are now filtered through a modern lens. By bringing these four artists together for the first time, Fragments of Folklore creates a landmark cross-cultural conversation on tradition, symbolism, and storytelling. FRAGMENTS OF FOLKLORE: SAUDI ARABIA AT A CROSSROADSFragments of Folklore stands as a defining moment in the evolution of contemporary Saudi art, reflecting the Kingdom's dynamic cultural transformation under Vision Arabia is entering a new era of cultural ambition and artistic innovation. Once known primarily for its economic power and religious heritage, the kingdom is now emerging as a global hub for the arts. With a thriving tourism industry, record investments in sports – including hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup – and the introduction of international entertainment, Saudi Arabia is reshaping its identity on the world stage. At the heart of this transformation is a deep commitment to high culture, signalling a new chapter in the kingdom's creative and intellectual evolution. At the forefront of this shift is Riyadh, which is set to host the Louvre Riyadh, a landmark $500 million project that strengthens Saudi Arabia's ties with France's most renowned cultural institutions. This follows the Centre Pompidou's expansion into AlUla, further reinforcing Saudi Arabia's role as a key player in the global arts scene. The kingdom has also made a historic entrance into the international art market, with Sotheby's holding its inaugural auction in Saudi Arabia in 2025, demonstrating the growing demand for fine art in the region and its rising influence in the global art economy. Garden 4 Hamra AbbasAlongside these developments, Saudi Arabia is hosting an unprecedented wave of world-class exhibitions. Desert X AlUla, now a staple in the international art calendar, continues to bring ground-breaking land art to the country's wondrous desert landscapes. Simultaneously, The Islamic Arts Biennale, running until 25 May, is offering an extraordinary exploration of Islamic heritage and contemporary interpretations, coinciding with Fragments of Folklore, a cultural showcase that delves into the rich traditions and narratives shaping the region's artistic large-scale exhibitions in the Gulf have focused on imported western narratives; Fragments of Folklore reverses this trajectory – elevating regional voices, redefining creative accessibility, and ensuring that the next generation of artists and audiences engage with art not as an exclusive privilege, but as an intrinsic of Folklore also directly aligns with the kingdom's ambition to become a global cultural hub, placing its contemporary artists on the world stage and creating an infrastructure where art is not just displayed, but actively lived, debated, and a young, ambitious, and globally connected generation leading the charge, Saudi Arabia is experiencing an artistic renaissance – one that is not only redefining its own cultural identity but also positioning the kingdom as a leading force in the global art world. This dynamism is reflected in the location hosting Fragments of Folklore: Riyadh's thriving JAX District, the epicenter of Saudi Arabia's contemporary arts scene and home to acclaimed artists, galleries, creative agencies and SAMOCA (the kingdom's first contemporary art museum).'Wall Painting' Rashid Al KhalifaBEYOND THE EXHIBITION: A MOVEMENT FOR ARTISTIC ACCESSIBILITYMore than an exhibition, Fragments of Folklore marks the beginning of a cultural movement:Mentorship & Visibility – Supporting emerging artists in Saudi Arabia by offering mentorship, curatorial support, and institutional Dialogue – Bridging Saudi and MENA narratives with international audiences through collaborations in Paris, Brussels, and & Representation – Ensuring that cultural heritage is not just preserved but actively reinterpreted for future generations.A shift from Euro-centric to Multi-centric – By bringing together artists from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Pakistan, Fragments of Folklore ensures Middle Eastern and south Asian artists are shaping their own artistic discourse. The exhibition could also be seen as part of a larger art-world shift towards decolonizing narratives. Accessible Art Ownership – The exhibition will also feature a curated Art Store, making prints and smaller works by emerging artists available at reasonable prices—allowing a broader audience to engage with and own contemporary art. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Fragments of Folklore is a unique opportunity to experience a bold reimagining of cultural identity, artistic innovation and accessibility in contemporary art. The exhibition also marks a time when Saudi Arabia is asserting its place in this historic trajectory – not as a passive observer of global art history, but as an active participant shaping its future
Bahrain News Gazette
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Bahrain News Gazette
Inaugural Art Week Riyadh to Debut With 45+ Galleries, Invited Collections, Public Program Of Talks & Citywide Participating Exhibitions
Inaugural Art Week Riyadh to Debut With 45+ Galleries, Invited Collections, Public Program Of Talks & Citywide Participating Exhibitions. (L-R) | Bashaer Hawsawi, Warm Space 1, 2018, Red Broom with African Cloth, 49 x 43 x 44 cm. Courtesy of Hafez Gallery and the artist. | Nefeli Papadimouli, Dream Coat, 2024, Cotton and wooden structure, 150 x 160 cm. Courtesy of the artist and THE PILL®. | Wael Shawky, The Gulf Project Camp: Sculpture # 3, 2019, Bronze, 50.8 x 120.7 x 61 cm, 20 x 47 1/2 x 24 in. © Wael Shawky, Courtesy Lisson Gallery. | Kader Attia, Le grand miroir du monde, 2017, mirrors, site specific dimension, Galleria Continua San Gimignano. Courtesy the artist and GALLERIA CONTINUA. Photograph by Ela Bialkowska. | Lulwah AlHomoud, 100 Names of ALLAH, 2018, Silkscreen on archival paper, 40 x 30 cm. Courtesy of Lulwah AlHomoud and LAHAF_SA. | Maha Malluh, September in Paris (from the series: Tradition & Modernity), 2010, C-print in Light box John Jones London, 122 x 156 cm. Courtesy of Galerie Krinzinger and Maha Malluh RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, March 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Saudi Arabia's Visual Arts Commission unveils the program and participants for its inaugural edition of Art Week Riyadh , 6–13 April 2025 . The event takes place across key cultural sites, including JAX District (JAX) and Al Mousa Center among other locations across Riyadh, bringing together leading local, regional, and international galleries, cultural institutions, artists, patrons, collectors, and art enthusiasts. It is a non-commercial initiative that builds on the foundations of a dynamic art community to cultivate a collaborative landscape where the visual arts will continue to flourish for generations to come. Held under the theme At The Edge and helmed by a curatorial team including Vittoria Matarrese , Artistic Director and Curator; Basma Harasani and Victoria Gandit Lelandais , Associate Curators; and Shumon Basar , Curator – Public Program, the event delves into the dynamic essence of Riyadh, highlighting its vibrant cultural landscape and growing presence on the global art stage. Art Week Riyadh is headquartered in JAX, where the flagship exhibition At The Edge brings together 45+ local, regional, and international galleries, each presenting curated selections that collectively explore the evolving cultural dialogues between Saudi Arabia, the MENA region, and the global contemporary art scene: A. Gorgi Gallery (Tunisia) Ahlam Gallery (Saudi Arabia) Albareh Art Gallery (Bahrain) Al Markhiya Gallery (Qatar) L'Art Pur Foundation (Saudi Arabia) AV Gallery (Saudi Arabia) Ayyam Gallery (UAE, UK) Carbon 12 (UAE) Efie Gallery (UAE) Experimenter (India) Galerie Krinzinger (Austria) Gallery Misr (Egypt) Galerie La La Lande (France) Galleria Continua (Brazil, China, Cuba, France, Italy, UAE) Green Art Gallery (UAE) Hewar Art Gallery (Saudi Arabia) Hunna Art (Kuwait) Lawrie Shabibi (UAE) Layan Culture (Saudi Arabia) Le LAB (Egypt) Leila Heller Gallery (UAE, USA) Lisson Gallery (China, UK, USA) Mennour (France, UK) Nature Morte (India) Perrotin (China, France, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, USA) Sabrina Amrani (Spain) Selma Feriani (Tunisia) The Pill® (France, Turkey) The Third Line (UAE) Tabari Artspace (UAE) Wadi Finan Art Gallery (Jordan) At Riyadh's Al Mousa Center , 15+ galleries will present exhibitions specially conceived for Art Week Riyadh, highlighting pioneering artists and emerging talents from the region and abroad: Abdullah Hammas Studio Abstract Art Gallery Ahlam Gallery Alajilan Gallery Alestudio AMA Art Venue Art Arif Gallery Art Connection AV Gallery China Saudi Cultural Art Association ERRM Art Gallery Frame Art Gallery Kadi Art Gallery Kenz Gallery Mahd Alfnon Gallery Marsami Art Gallery Ola Art Gallery Takeib For Arts Tequin Art Gallery WHJ ALLON Wrd Art Gallery JAX will host three exhibitions under the title Collections in Dialogue by invited collections from Ithra , Art Jameel and the Saudi Research and Media Group , offering a rare and expansive insight into Saudi's evolving cultural identity, while emphasizing the critical role of collecting in shaping and preserving visual culture. A series of high-profile talks and workshops at JAX will reflect on themes and questions facing the visual arts in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and around the world today. Curated by Shumon Basar and entitled How to Art World? Lessons in Value , the program will include contributions from partners such as Christie's , Sotheby's and Gagosian . A Moving Image program will highlight the medium's capacity to explore personal, cultural and social narratives, featuring works by Theaster Gates , Zineb Sedira , Hicham Berrada , Bani Abidi , Laurent Grasso , Afra Al Dhaheri , Mohamed Bourouissa , Sarah Brahim , Farideh Lashai and Hashel Al Lamki . At JAX, Ahmed Mater , Ayman Zedani , Marwah AlMugait , and Muhannad Shono , amongst other artists, will open the doors to their studios, while resident galleries Athr , Hafez and Lift will present exhibitions, panel discussions, and workshops. The Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art will present two exhibitions, Art of the Kingdom and Adaptability Ceramics , workshops and pop-ups. Across the city, Riyadh's newest museums and art hubs will welcome visitors for special programming – The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts , Shamalat. , Hewar Gallery , and the studios of artists Ali Al Ruzaiza , Lulwah Al Homoud , Abdullah AlOthman and others – offering an opportunity to reflect on how Riyadh's past and present converge, shedding light on the dynamic transformation of the city. Press Enquiries: Rania Habib / Zara Doshi: [email protected] / [email protected] A photo accompanying this announcement is available at GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9411305
