The Saudi Art Council launched on Wednesday launched its eighth iteration of the 21,39 Jeddah Arts exhibition, titled The Secrets of Alidades. Curated by French academic Fabien Danesi, the event is showing the works of 35 artists and celebrates the theme of the universe by taking visitors on an interstellar journey. It had initially been set to open to the public in March, but was delayed owing to the pandemic.

Saudi artist and explorer Moath Alofi says his work is an extended message from the past to explore the beauty and treasures of the kingdom.

Basmah Felemban, also from Saudi Arabia, created a sonic getaway with an interactive video game installation titled The Jirri Tribe Stop (2021). It took her two years to develop the game centred on the main characters, which are catfish that try to maintain the sea's balance.

Moving away from his familiar calligraphy this year, Nasser Al Salem, from Jeddah, created his first sculpture, The First Space Shuttle, 2019-201, inspired by nomads who used tents as their habitat, but borrowing from the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule design. “This idea of mobility creates a link between nomadic Bedouins and astronauts in their use of space and their engagement with nature,” Al Salem says.

Over the last year, Saudi Arabia’s art scene has been exploding in the region and beyond, most recently with exhibitions such as “Zamakan,” which brought together the works of 11 of the country’s top contemporary artists. In this supportive and growing environment for arts and culture, more of the Kingdom’s young contemporary artists are making a name for themselves, such as Basmah Felemban, a self-taught graphic designer from Jeddah who also owns her own studio in the city of her birth. As a young creative now based in Saudi Arabia, Felemban is an avid supporter of Kingdom’s local creative scene, often participating in workshops, talks, and utilizing her social media platforms in a way that provides inspiration to others. Over the course of her short career, Felemban has already exhibited in many international and local exhibitions including Art Dubai, 21/39, contemporary art Istanbul, Venice Biennale, and Art Abu Dhabi.

Dana Awartani, Abdulnasser Gharem, Ayman Yossri Daydban and Basmah Felemban take us inside their Saudi Arabia-based studios

Ayman Yossri Daydban: “I see my studio as an important piece of artwork—it is always changing, never settling in one location. I never decided what medium I will use—sometimes I paint, sometimes I crush elements together and sometimes I mix unconventional, untraditional styles together. I will keep searching for answers. I am currently working on a solo exhibition with Athr Gallery which will launch in September.”

Shedding light on “The wave won’t stop when you leave”, Basmah Felemban, curator of the activity, said that the enthusiasm that the local kids showed during the workshops and the outstanding creativity they demonstrated will no doubt contribute to enriching the Historical Area artistically and maintain a culture of beauty and creativity. 

She pointed out that street art in its various shapes and forms can be noticed across the country, whether it features poetic or social statements, group tags, or beautiful murals; this type of visual outcome is at once an individualistic form of expression, and a form of social commentary.

The main exhibition, titled Public/Private, is an artist-led initiative comprising a series of temporary exhibitions spanning visual art, performance, publications, and street art as well as sculpture, interactive sound installations, photography, video and sound art.

Under the leadership and vision of architect duo, Abdulrahman and Turki Gazzaz, Bricklab has set up various locations in Jeddah’s Historical Area to exhibit works of art. These locations included Rubat Al-Khunji Al-Sagheer, Sharbatly Annex, Bait Al-Sharbatly, Xenel Building and Barahat Al-Hazzazi.

Speaking on the occasion, Abdulrahman Gazzaz, Curator of 21,39 Summer Edition, said they have selected works by a range of local and international artists, from young and emerging to established international figures. “The participating artists are Ahaad Alamoudi, Alaa Tarabzouni, Aziz Jamal, Carlos Cruz-Diez, Emy Kat, Hajra Waheed, James Turrell, Manal Al Dowayan, Mammafotogramma Studio, Nasser Alshemimry & Blank Studio, Rashed Al Shashai and Traumnovelle.” he said.

Abdulrahman pointed out that this year’s Summer edition of 21,39 takes as its central theme questions about the development, restoration, and revival efforts initiated and supported by Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, in Al-Balad and its potential to establish a fresh perspective on our understanding of the values of civic life.

DUBAI: A selection of work from the contemporary Saudi Arabian art fair

Born in Jeddah in 1993, Basham Felemban she brings a deep knowledge of and affection for Islamic art to her work, but also told Arab News in 2015 that she found inspiration all around her. “I think it’s about being open to learning about everything,” she said. “Inspiration is made of small bits that you collect every day. Once you stop seeking knowledge, you stop getting inspiration. 

Athr Gallery places itself as an entity beyond being a commercial gallery, but a cultural center that brings together different talents from across the region and globe

Taking its cue from the current Ramadan season, a time of contemplation and spiritual regeneration for Muslims worldwide, ‘Show Of Faith’ offers perspectives, insights and reflections on the essence of faith, both within the precepts and traditions of Islam, and beyond, as a universal source of sanctuary and solace

Athr Gallery head to Doha, Qatar, this month to collaborate with the city’s Katara Cultural Village on ‘Show Of Faith’, a major, multi-media group exhibition on July 11 and running until August 31.

Rhizoma: (Generation in Waiting) -the Saudi Arabian Pavilion at this year’s Venice Bienalle produced by Edge of Arabia and co-curated by Sara Raza - opened on May 30 to critical acclaim. The exhibition features a number of young Saudi artists and, in particular, considers their interest in new-media practices.

“Rhizoma: (Generation in Waiting)” was an Edge of Arabia production, co-curated by Sara Raza [AAP‘s West and Central Asia desk editor], featured young Saudi artists and looked at their interest in new-media practices. Here, Basmah Felemban’s Drawn Out Truths(2013), consisting of glass sheets etched with patterns resembling at niqab or burqah that viewers could put their face behind. 

The exhibition will show the works of the following artists many of whom are creating new works unique to the exhibition; Abdulkarim Qassem, Abdullah Alothman, Ahaad Alamoudi, Ahmad Angawi, Basmah Felemban, Batool Alshomrani, Dana Awrtani, Eiman Elgibreen, Eyad Maghazil, Heba Abed, Huda Beydoun, Majid Althobaity, Mala’a Al-Amoudi, Mohammad Makki, Nasser Salem, Nora A.Almazrooa, Nouf Alhimiary, Omamah AlSadiq, Ramy Alqthamy, Saeed Salem, Sami Al-Turki, Sarah AbuAbdallah, Sarah Al Abdali, Shaweesh, and YouTube sensations Telfaz 11 and U-Turn.

Speaking about her favorite artists, Felemban relates to “Shirin Neshat, her feminine strength and how she’s connected to her roots and culture. Da vinci and how his work is a celebration of science and art; he broke boundaries and followed his guts; and finally, Mounir Fatmi.”

Felemban plans to pursue MA in Islamic Art at The Prince’s School of Traditional Art in London. “And now that I’ve signed exclusively with Athr Gallery I think it is going to be a great experience making contemporary art the same time I’m studying pure traditional art.”