First travelling exhibition of Saudi contemporary artists
July 31–October 30, 2025
Beijing 100010
China
Following successful presentations in Rio de Janeiro and Riyadh, the Museums Commission, one of the 11 sector-specific commissions under the Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia, inaugurated Art of the Kingdom: Poetic Illuminations exhibition in the National Museum of China in Beijing, on view until 30 October 2025. This is the first travelling group exhibition of Saudi contemporary artists; its arrival in Beijing is part of the activations of the 2025 Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year.
Art of the Kingdom showcases a curated selection of over 30 Saudi artists across generations, disciplines, and practices, who offer bold reflections on identity, memory, tradition, and change.
From paintings to installations and video works, the artworks present a panoramic view of Saudi Modern and Contemporary art, shining a light on Saudi Arabia's abundant history, collective memory, and cultural traditions.
Commissioned by the Museums Commission, and curated by Argentinian art critic Diana Wechsler, Art of the Kingdom debuted at the historic Paço Imperial in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in November 2024, before traveling to the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art at Jax (SAMoCA@Jax) in Riyadh earlier this year. The Beijing edition is the third stop of this travelling international exhibition.
Structured around two themes—the desert and cultural tradition—Art of the Kingdom presents an exploration of Saudi Arabia's visual culture, weaving the history of the region into an artistic narrative shaped by present-day questions and experiences.
Audiences can expect a stellar line-up of the country's notable artists: Ahmed Mater; Manal AlDowayan; Muhannad Shono; Dana Awartani; Filwa Nazer; Shadia Alem; Moath Alofi; Faisal Samra; Ahaad Alamoudi; Ayman Yossri Daydban; Lina Gazzaz; Ahmad Angawi; Ayman Zedani; Nasser Al Salem; Daniah AlSaleh; Basmah Felemban; Sarah Brahim; Sarah AbuAbdallah & Ghada Al Hassan; Omar Abduljawad; HH Reem Al Faisal; Saadoun Ibrahim Alsaadoun; Abdullah Mouhammed Alalyan; Mouhammed Abdullrahman Siam; Mirza Alsaleh; Abdulaziz Ashour Alsayed; Nasir Almoussa; Naiel Yasin Mallah; Ahmed Abdulaziz Alaarj; Hamza Bajoudah; Yasir Mouhammed Azhar; Abdullah Mouhammed Al-Nawawee; Mahdi Rajeh Alsayied; Mohammed Al Saleem; Saleh Alkhalifa; Abdullah Abdullmuhsin Almarzouk; Faisal Eissa Almashary.
For the National Museum of China, the exhibition’s curation has been subtly adapted to present an introduction to Saudi modernist masters from the 1960s–1980s, with a capsule of significant artworks from the Saudi Ministry of Culture's collection.
Art of the Kingdom transcends mere art display; it is an offering of insight- an invitation to engage, to listen, and to reflect - a journey of connection and understanding. Through this exhibition, the Museums Commission invites audiences to explore Saudi Arabia's rich cultural heritage and evolving society, while highlighting shared human experiences that transcend geographical boundaries.
For further enquiries, email: jjabbour@moc.gov.sa and intl.media@moc.gov.sa.
