Participants in the session titled “History of Saudi Art,” held at the 2024 Riyadh International Book Fair, emphasized that Saudi art has a global presence, with the Saudi orchestra today representing the voices of all Saudi artists who have shaped Saudi music into a significant artistic achievement.
The session, organized by the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission, featured academic Dr. Nauman Kadowa and Saudi researcher Dr. Manal Al-Harbi, and was moderated by researcher and visual artist Dr. Hanan Al-Hazza.
Kadowa explained that Saudi art has undergone multiple transformations throughout its history, notably with the establishment of the Theater and Performing Arts Commission and the Music Commission. These organizations have contributed to enhancing national identity and have provided bridges for Saudi arts to connect with the world, reflecting both the Kingdom’s rich past and promising future.
He proposed including art in institutional projects that gather reliable information to produc
e contemporary art rooted in the Kingdom’s past, present, and future. He emphasized the necessity of establishing an informational center for Saudi art that collects sources and references through collaborative efforts among cultural and artistic bodies and relevant entities.
For her part, Dr. Manal Al-Harbi highlighted the reciprocal relationship between art and society, noting that art reflects the community. “If we look back at the history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we find that the arts present on our land date back to prehistoric times.” She also emphasized the contributions of the late Saudi artist Safeya Binzagr, who illustrated Saudi customs and traditions through her artworks.
“Many Saudi artists have similarly reflected their homeland’s customs and traditions during their studies and international scholarships, underscoring the significant responsibility that Saudi artists have historically committed to and must continue to uphold,” Al-Harbi added.
She also pointed out the challenges facing
researchers and scholars of Saudi art history, primarily the scarcity of references, which complicates the acquisition of information needed to form a comprehensive system. She suggested that the efforts of municipal authorities, through their preserved documents, could help address this issue.
Source: Saudi Press Agency