● Tuwaiq Sculpture announces its 5th edition under the theme ‘Dimensions of Movement’
● 30 artists from all over the world selected to create large-scale sculptures in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
● Indian sculptor Bhola Kumar also selected to participate at Tuwaiq Sculpture 2024 in Riyadh.
● Focus on developing local talent, as 33% of the participating artists in the 5th edition are from Saudi Arabia, half of which are women
● The project is an integral part of Riyadh Art, one of the world’s most ambitious public art initiatives
A total of 30 sculptors have been selected for the 5th edition of Tuwaiq Sculpture, themed ‘Dimensions of Movement’. Held annually in the capital of Saudi Arabia, the sculpture symposium brings local and international sculptors together to create public artworks that become an integral part of Riyadh’s urban fabric.
Launched in 2019, Tuwaiq Sculpture is a foundational pillar of the Riyadh Art program, one of the largest public art projects undertaken in the world today. Riyadh Art seeks to turn the city into a “gallery without walls”, with more than 1,000 artworks to be displayed across the capital.
Selected from more than 650 applications from over 80 countries, this edition’s 30 artists hail from 20 nations across the globe. Indian sculptor Bhola Kumar has also been selected to participate at Tuwaiq Sculpture 2024. Each application was carefully evaluated by the Tuwaiq Sculpture jury members. Representing a diverse range of talent from local, regional and international backgrounds, the selected proposals respond to the theme ‘Dimensions of Movement’ by exploring conceptions of progress, modernity and the ever-expanding horizons of human aspiration. The sculptures created during the symposium will become an integral part of Riyadh’s cityscape, elevating the capital’s reputation as a leading global city for sustainability and quality of life, aligned with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
The 5th Tuwaiq Sculpture is curated by Marek Wolynski, a specialist in large-scale projects and cross-sector partnerships. Marek’s curatorial approach intertwines tradition with modernity, championing interdisciplinary dialogues that connect, transform, and inspire. “The upcoming Tuwaiq Sculpture aspires to shape a narrative of innovation, ambition, and expansion, turning Riyadh into a vibrant canvas of art and urban dynamism,” Marek noted. “Dimensions of Movement is more than a theme – it is a glimpse into the very soul of the ongoing transformation,” he continued.
Marek Wolynski also serves as the chairman of the jury panel, which includes Associate Curator Dr. Fahad Aljebreen, a sculptor and Assistant Professor at the College of Art Education in King Saud University; Dr. Khulod Albugami, a sculptor and Assistant Professor at the College of Art and Design at Princess Nourah University; Nojoud Alsudairi, the co-founder of Syn Architects, whose artistic and architectural endeavors explore identities rooted in the urban contemporary culture of Saudi Arabia; and Sebastiano Barassi, a renowned curator and art historian who has worked at prestigious institutions including the Courtauld Gallery, the University of Cambridge and the Henry Moore Foundation in the UK.
Participating artists will meet and collaborate with one another and establish a dialogue between their various cultures and backgrounds. In parallel to the creative process, an expansive public engagement program will take place, including interactive workshops, school visits, and panel discussions delving into elements of architecture, sculpture, art, and design.
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. Sculptures are permanently installed in key locations across the city.
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.
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.
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