Where can I find info on the contemporary Saudi Arabian art scene?

June 19, 2014 2:45 PM

I'm organizing as as-yet themeless, artist-less show on contemporary Saudi Arabian art for an American audience. Where could I find significant artists, significant prior shows, critical responses, constraints, if any, under which they work, and, in general, information on the Saudi cultural climate? Books, essays, blogs, I'm open to anything at this early research date. I don't read Arabic, by the way, but I can get by in French, Italian, and German, if needed. Thanks.
posted by holdenjordahl to Media & Arts (8 answers total)

An art collective named "Edge of Arabia" had an exhibit at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London a few years ago. They then moved on to participate in the Biennale in Venice a few times. Some of their work is in the collection of the Greenbox Museum of Contemporary Art from Saudi Arabia in Amsterdam. There is a book with the same name, Edge of Arabia (link to Amazon).
I am sure there are publications for the exhibits as well as press articles on the artists and their work.
posted by travelwithcats at 3:01 PM on June 19, 2014

Response by poster: thanks, travelwithcats!
posted by holdenjordahl at 3:03 PM on June 19, 2014

The first exhibit in Saudi took place in 2012 in Jeddah.
Ahmed Mater, an artist who founded
Edge of Arabia a group, working to bring Saudi artists to the rest of the world. They might be a good place to start.
Contemporary Kingdom is "publication presenting an extensive overview of the Saudi Arabian contemporary art."
And a museum in Amsterdam.
posted by Ideefixe at 3:08 PM on June 19, 2014

Response by poster: thanks, Ideefixe!
posted by holdenjordahl at 3:11 PM on June 19, 2014

Via twitter, someone suggested you should get in touch with the people behind @SaudiArtGuide since they might know.
posted by mathowie at 3:47 PM on June 19, 2014

Response by poster: great, thanks, mathowie!
posted by holdenjordahl at 3:55 PM on June 19, 2014

Maybe contact folks at these magazine?
http://www.canvasonline.com/
https://www.saudiaramcoworld.com
posted by at at 1:15 PM on June 20, 2014

Response by poster: thanks, "at"!
posted by holdenjordahl at 9:22 PM on June 20, 2014