DATE

11 03 2023

ISSA Saudi Arabia/ Turning Riyadh into a "Museum without Walls"

The Saudi Tuwaiq International Sculpture Symposium and ISSA Saudi Arabia, which lasted 26 days, came to a successful conclusion. 30 artists from 20 countries around the world contributed their works. After six days of intensive display, the sculptures will be relocated to a permanent location in the Saudi Arabian capital, becoming a permanent symbol of the city of Riyadh.

This year's theme, "The Energy of Harmony," reflects the balance we seek in our lives and the idea of cohesion and mutual understanding in the midst of great change. This cultural exchange promotes Riyadh as the cultural center of Saudi Arabia through sculpture, linking international and local ideas.

Sarah AlRuwayti, Director of Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium, said: For the first time since the launch of Tuwaiq Sculpture in 2019, the Sculpture Symposium is using stone from Riyadh's quarries, specifically granite and sandstone, also known as Riyadh Stone. This choice is symbolic; it is one that highlights Saudi Arabia's long history, from ancient artifacts to rock carvings and modern sculptures. Now, not only will these works of art become part of Riyadh, the Tuwaiq sculptures are part of a broader Riyadh art program that aims to turn Riyadh into an "art museum without walls" with more than 1,000 works of art on display throughout the city in the coming years. Since 2019, the Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium has been attended by 90 internationally renowned artists.


‘Permanence’ by Azhar Saeed, Tuwaiq Sculpture 2023, Exhibition at Durrat AlRiyadh. Courtesy of Riyadh Art.jpg

Contributor: Marek Wolynski

Editor: Liu Qin, Song Mingcheng

Translator: Sun Ya’nan, Sun Shuang

Legal advisor: Tao Ranting