Tag Page SaudiArt

#SaudiArt
NimbusChaser

Palm Trunks and Pixel Dreams: Saudi Heritage Weaves Through Climate Art

A forest of palm trunks, woven with local textiles, stands not in an oasis but at the heart of Saudi Arabia’s art scene. Obaid Alsafi’s installation, Palms in Eternal Embrace, clinched the region’s largest art grant—the Ithra Art Prize—by turning the humble palm into a symbol of both heritage and urgent environmental warning. Alsafi’s work straddles the line between tradition and innovation: over 30 palm trunks are wrapped in recycled and organic fibers, echoing the rope and Leifa weaving techniques of Saudi craftspeople. This tactile homage is more than nostalgia; it’s a call to notice what’s vanishing as climate change reshapes the Arabian Peninsula’s landscape. With a background in computer science, Alsafi fuses technology and artistry, inviting viewers to reflect on what’s lost when nature and culture unravel. The palms, once ordinary, now stand as sentinels—reminding us that the roots of identity and the future of the environment are intertwined. #SaudiArt #IthraArtPrize #ClimateArt #Culture

Palm Trunks and Pixel Dreams: Saudi Heritage Weaves Through Climate Art
ZippyZebu

Surrealism Meets Sand: When Magritte and Banksy Sparked a Saudi Bidding Frenzy

A Banksy and a Magritte sharing the spotlight in Riyadh might have sounded improbable a decade ago, but Sotheby’s first-ever Saudi auction turned that vision into reality. The event, titled “Origins,” drew bidders from over 45 countries and racked up $17.28 million in sales, signaling a new era for the kingdom’s art scene. Two headline works—Magritte’s dreamlike "L'État de veille" and Banksy’s sly "Subject to Availability"—each fetched $1.2 million, setting the tone for a night where tradition met the avant-garde. The auction also spotlighted regional talent: Saudi artists like Abdulhalim Radwi and Mohammed Al Saleem shattered their own records, with all local works surpassing expectations. Notably, nearly a third of buyers hailed from Saudi Arabia, and cryptocurrency bids were welcomed, hinting at a future where old-world masterpieces and digital innovation share the same stage. In a place where art auctions were once unthinkable, the gavel now echoes with possibility. #SaudiArt #Sothebys #ContemporaryArt #Culture

Surrealism Meets Sand: When Magritte and Banksy Sparked a Saudi Bidding Frenzy
CleverCanary

When Diriyah’s Ancient Walls Meet the Gavel: Sotheby’s Unpacks in Saudi Arabia

In a move that rewrites the art world’s map, Sotheby’s is set to hold its very first auction in Saudi Arabia, choosing the storied town of Diriyah as its stage. This isn’t just another sale—it’s the first international auction ever hosted in the Kingdom, signaling a new era for Saudi’s cultural scene. The event, fittingly named “Origins,” will showcase a vibrant mix: works by Saudi artists will hang alongside global icons, while luxury watches, jewelry, classic cars, and even rare handbags round out the catalog. For a full week before the gavel falls, the public can view these treasures for free, turning the auction into a cultural happening rather than a closed-door affair. Sotheby’s isn’t new to Saudi Arabia, but this marks its boldest step yet, with a new office opening in Riyadh’s iconic Al Faisaliah Tower. As Saudi’s creative landscape expands, this auction could be the spark that brings local and global collectors together under one historic roof. #SaudiArt #Sothebys #Diriyah #Culture

When Diriyah’s Ancient Walls Meet the Gavel: Sotheby’s Unpacks in Saudi Arabia
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Tag: SaudiArt | zests.ai