Mariam Nihal

Saudi Gazette

 

It has been on the news and if you have not been able to see it on the streets, then it has come up on your social media feed.



For those unaware of the burgeoning art scene in Saudi Arabia, a public outdoor exhibit brought the world’s attention back to our homeland.



Curated by JWT Riyadh with Al-Arabia Outdoor the advertising firm behind the exhibition, the campaign is hailed as “the biggest art gallery ever seen in the Kingdom”.



Artists were invited to submit their work at www.alarabiaarts.com. The website is now reported to be the first with listing of artists in Saudi Arabia.



The campaign aims to promote undiscovered talent and art in the Kingdom using a public platform using outdoor sites. Hence converting outdoor billboards into large framed pieces of art.



Paintings have been displayed on the streets of Jeddah, on outdoor advertising billboards in Riyadh and other cities throughout the Kingdom. The campaign selected work sourced from 900 young artists on over 3,000 sites.



“It is something new. For the first time, art is presented to the public,” said Mohammed al-Khereiji, deputy chief executive, Al-Arabia Outdoor.



However, foreign media emphasising on the current event seems more infatuated with the conservative settings in Saudi Arabia as opposed to the first ever public art screening.



It is no secret that the art scene in Saudi Arabia is growing like never before. The public art exhibit is a product of art appreciation in Saudi Arabia, represented by the growing community of local artists and upcoming art galleries.  



Instagram: alarabia_arts

Website: www.alarabiaarts.com