The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) is hosting “Beginnings: The Early Saudi Art Movement,” a major exhibition that traces the evolution of Saudi Arabia’s modern visual arts from the 1960s through the late 1980s.
Organized by the Visual Arts Commission in partnership with Ithra, the exhibition runs from July 13 to November 7, 2026, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the foundations of the Kingdom’s artistic identity.
More Than 150 Artworks by 68 Saudi Artists
The exhibition features more than 150 artworks created by 68 pioneering Saudi artists, accompanied by over 200 archival items, including historical photographs, documents, multimedia presentations, and rare records that document the development of Saudi visual arts.
Together, these collections provide a comprehensive narrative of how local artists blended Saudi heritage with international artistic movements to create a distinctive national visual identity.
Exploring the Birth of Saudi Art
Beyond displaying paintings, the exhibition examines the cultural, social, and economic transformations that shaped Saudi Arabia’s artistic landscape during its formative decades.
Visitors gain insight into how individual artistic initiatives gradually evolved into an organized cultural movement supported by national institutions, laying the foundation for today’s thriving creative sector.
Interactive Cultural Program
Alongside the exhibition, Ithra is presenting a rich cultural program featuring panel discussions, workshops, educational sessions, and specialized training led by artists, historians, researchers, and experts in Saudi art history.
The accompanying events are designed to deepen public understanding of the Kingdom’s artistic heritage while encouraging dialogue between creators and audiences.
Thematic Exhibition Sections
The exhibition is divided into thematic sections that explore the earliest stages of Saudi Arabia’s art movement, the emergence of influential artistic schools, and the intellectual and aesthetic trends that shaped generations of Saudi artists.
These sections offer visitors a chronological and contextual understanding of the Kingdom’s visual arts development.
Preserving Saudi Arabia’s Artistic Legacy
“Beginnings” builds on the successful exhibition previously presented at the National Museum in Riyadh earlier this year, expanding access to its research and archival content for audiences across the Kingdom.
The exhibition reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing commitment to preserving its cultural memory, celebrating the achievements of pioneering artists, and inspiring future generations as the Kingdom continues to strengthen its position as a regional and global center for arts and culture.
