Saudi Gazette

RIYADH — Daniah Alsaleh, the winner of the second edition of the Ithra Art Prize, unveiled her completed winning commission, titled Sawtam, at Art Dubai. Described by the selection committee as “powerful and thoroughly captivating,” the large-scale multimedia artwork explores the structure and complexities of language, deconstructing it to its smaller unit of sound, the phoneme, which lends the artwork its name: Sawtam

Alsaleh said: “I am very honored to have been chosen as the winner for this year’s Ithra Art Prize and have the opportunity to realize my proposal with the generous prize award. Art Dubai is an important international art fair and I am delighted to exhibit the artwork here. Ithra and Art Dubai have been fantastic in their support and guidance throughout the past months to make this happen. Ithra’s initiative to support and promote Saudi and Saudi-based artists is a landmark in the Saudi art scene, which will contribute to the growing artistic cultural landscape of the region. I am humbled to be included and to contribute to such an institution and to have Sawtam be part of their extensive permanent collection.”

Ali Al-Mutairi, director of the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), commented: “After Ithra’s successful opening to the general public last year, we are thrilled to see the Ithra Art Prize proceed to its second edition. Our key commitment remains — to support and promote Saudi and Saudi-based talent. The Ithra Art Prize represents a major landmark toward this goal, and we are delighted to partner with Art Dubai once more in this regard. We congratulate Daniah on her achievement and look forward to supporting her on her journey.”

The Ithra Art Prize is a collaboration between the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Saudi Arabia and Art Dubai. Launched in 2017, the Ithra Art Prize aims to support and promote emerging Saudi contemporary artists on a truly global platform.

The prize invites all Saudi and Saudi-based artists and collectives to submit proposals via an annual open call, with the prize winner receiving up to $100,000 to realize their proposed artwork, which is first shown at Art Dubai before moving to Ithra to be part of the center’s permanent collection.

Ithra, a cultural and creative hub based in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, offers programs and compelling experiences while enhancing and showcasing local and global talents. It proudly made TIME Magazine’s 2018 list of one of the world’s 100 greatest places to visit.