Experience Art in Action at the 6th Edition of Tuwaiq Sculpture Starting January 15, 2025

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City and Riyadh Art proudly announce the upcoming 6th edition of the Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium, running from January 15 to February 8, 2025, at Roshn Front. Bringing together 30 sculptors from 23 countries, this year’s symposium embraces the theme “From Then to Now: Joy in the Struggle of Making”.

For nearly a month, visitors to Roshn Front will have the rare opportunity to witness live sculpting as talented artists create monumental public artworks. This dynamic event invites people of all ages to connect with the artistic process, engage directly with sculptors, and gain a deeper understanding of the inspiration, techniques, and tools used in their craft.

Accompanying the live sculpting is a vibrant public engagement program designed to enrich the visitor experience. The program features 11 panel discussions that delve into topics such as the evolving role of public art in urban spaces, 10 interactive workshops offering hands-on activities like natural dyeing and sustainable art practices, and 6 masterclasses on advanced sculptural techniques, including designing kinetic sculptures. Additionally, 34 guided tours and educational trips provide visitors with insights into the creative process and Riyadh’s growing cultural landscape.

Curated by Lead Curator Sebastian Betancur-Montoya and Associate Curator Dr. Manal Al-Harbi, the Symposium celebrates the artist’s journey, emphasizing the fulfillment found in the act of creation. “Through this year’s Symposium, we invite everyone to connect with the timeless beauty of the artistic process. The theme, ‘From Then to Now,’ explores the resilience and continuity of creativity, bridging heritage and innovation to reflect Riyadh’s transformation into a cultural hub while honoring its rich past,” said Betancur-Montoya.

The completed sculptures will be unveiled in an Exhibition running from February 12 to 24, 2025, before being installed as part of Riyadh Art’s permanent collection across the city’s urban landscape. These artworks, created by a diverse group of Saudi and international artists, will become cultural landmarks, enriching Riyadh’s identity and fostering meaningful connections with art and heritage.

Tuwaiq Sculpture is one of Riyadh Art’s flagship initiatives, which has transformed Saudi Arabia’s capital into a global cultural hub since its launch in 2019. Aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, Riyadh Art continues to advance accessibility, creativity, and cultural exchange while shaping the city’s reputation as a vibrant destination for the arts.

Tuwaiq Sculpture is free and open to the public. Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to experience art in action at Roshn Front from January 15 to February 8, 2025.

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For more information regarding Riyadh Art and Tuwaiq Sculpture, please contact:

Riyadh Art Media Center: info@riyadhart.sa

Notes to editors

About Tuwaiq Sculpture

Tuwaiq Sculpture is an annual sculpture symposium that brings local and international artists together to create public artworks in a live setting. Through an interactive program of workshops, school visits and talks, Tuwaiq Sculpture engages diverse communities and bolsters cultural exchanges. The symposium culminates in an on-site exhibition, with the sculptures enriching the Riyadh Art collection and later becoming a permanent feature of the Saudi capital’s urban fabric.

Part of Riyadh Art, Tuwaiq Sculpture is a significant contributor to the Riyadh Art collection and the project’s goal of commissioning 1,000 public artworks to be displayed across the city. After each edition of the symposium, sculptures are permanently installed in key locations across the city, becoming an integral part of Riyadh’s urban fabric.

Tuwaiq Sculpture is a platform where local and international artists meet, collaborate and create large-scale public artworks in a live setting. The open format of the symposium allows the public to observe the creative process, participate in interactive workshops and discuss the history and future of public art, effectively contributing to the enrichment of the cultural scene in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Since its inception in 2019, Tuwaiq Sculpture has engaged over 90 internationally renowned sculptors and thousands of visitors.

Website:   https://riyadhart.sa/en/programs/tuwaiq-sculpture/  

About Riyadh Art

Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia, is on a 10-year mission to become one of the world’s most livable and competitive cities, a global center which is open for business and that welcomes the world. With a young and rapidly growing population of 7+ million residents, Riyadh is transforming into a vibrant and cosmopolitan metropolis.

Art and culture reflect the spirit of a city. That’s why the Riyadh Art project has been developed to turn the whole capital into a creative canvas – a gallery without walls – to enrich lives, ignite creative expression and kindle the creative economy. Riyadh Art is a demonstration of the open, accessible, and creative transformation of the capital, where the exchange of ideas through creative expression, develops a deeper sense of mutual understanding and respect.

The Riyadh Art project will have a positive impact on people, bringing every day moments of joy to residents and visitors alike, while instilling a greater sense of civic pride and creating a more beautiful city for everyone to enjoy. It will also spark the development of the new creative economy and have a positive effect on attracting new businesses to invest in the city.

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