Star Wars meets Saudi History at Shaweesh’s bold Cologne exhibit

Welcome to Al-Monitor Riyadh.

As the hot summer months arrive in the Gulf, we highlight this week’s exhibitions by Saudi artists in Europe: Abdullah Al Jahdhami, who is presenting a solo exhibition in Cologne, Germany; and Ahaad Alamoudi, debuting a new and major installation in Basel, Switzerland, during Art Basel.

Elsewhere, we spotlight a new initiative promoting handicrafts by the Saudi Cultural Development Fund, as well as the launch of Jeddah Season.

Happy reading,

Rebecca

P.S. Have feedback or tips on Riyadh's culture scene? Send them my way at contactus@al-monitor.com.

1. Leading the week: “Playful Disruption” 

Abdullah Al Jahdhami, “The Last Jedi.” (San Francisco signing of the United Nation Charter 1945) 2013. (Courtesy of the artist)

Abdullah Al Jahdhami, known as Shaweesh, was born in Riyadh in 1990 and is currently holding his first solo exhibition at Galerie Brigitte Schenk in Cologne, Germany. Titled "Playful Disruption," the show features a range of works by the artist set within a staged environment resembling a makeshift library. The shelves are filled with fake books, references to unfinished projects, vinyl records, war leaflets, a soldier’s guidebook, comic books and other miscellaneous objects that Shaweesh has been collecting since 2017.

“The show charts my journey to understand more about my identity,” Shaweesh told Al-Monitor. “It is about me trying to explore what happened in the past through the items I have collected that have shaped my identity until now.”

Among the standout pieces on display is "The Last Jedi" (2013), a digitally altered image in which Shaweesh inserts Yoda, the “Star Wars" character, next to King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud as he signed the United Nations Charter in San Francisco in 1945. Created using Photoshop, the work made headlines in 2018 after it was accidentally included in a Saudi high school social studies and nationalism textbook, prompting an official investigation by the authorities.

“While exploring archives from the West to discover content about the Middle East, I found that most records and documentaries were primarily political in nature,” the artist said in the opening press release. “They focused mainly on topics like violence, refugees and treaties that created borders, often leading to the displacement of people from their homelands. In response, I started making my own archive to construct an alternative narrative.”

After earning a degree in mechanical engineering, Shaweesh became involved in the growing Saudi art scene. He began as a graphic designer with artist collectives like Telfaz11, later joining Gharem Studio, founded by artist Abdulnasser Gharem, where he developed his practice as a visual artist. His work has been exhibited in the United States, the United Arab Emirates and as part of a collateral program at the Venice Biennale in 2013.

Through the use of sarcasm and humor, as seen in "The Last Jedi," Shaweesh seeks to engage younger audiences in a more global and humanistic dialogue about what is real and what is fictional. His approach challenges stereotypes and encourages more nuanced perspectives.

Dates: June 20 - Aug. 25

Location: Galerie Brigitte Schenk. Cologne, Germany

More details here.

2. Word on the street: Brew92

An interior view of Brew92 in Jeddah. (Courtesy of Brew92)

This popular homegrown Saudi restaurant in Jeddah is one of the best spots to enjoy a quality cup of coffee. Great attention is paid to the details of each brew, which is prepared with 100% specialty-grade Arabic beans by a team trained to a highly professional standard based on the Specialty Coffee Association guidelines.

Brew92 aims not only to be a leading coffee brand but also to advance the knowledge of the coffee community. Founded in 2016 by a group of baristas, coffee experts and roasters, the brand now has several branches across Saudi Arabia, including multiple locations in Jeddah.

But Brew92 doesn’t just serve coffee — its menu also features a variety of sweet and savory dishes, such as the zesty Italian pesto and mozzarella sandwich and the Za’atar Danish for those seeking something sweet.

Location: Atelier La Vie, Ash Shati

More details here.

3. Riyadh diary

An installation view of Ahaad Alamoudi’s “The Outdoor Health Club,” Installation & 4K Video, 2020. (Photography by Mohammed Eskandarani)

• The Outdoor Health Club 

Jeddah-based artist Ahaad Alamoudi debuts a new installation at the Basel Social Club 2025 in Basel, Switzerland, during Art Basel. The work repurposes obsolete fitness equipment from a Jeddah thrift market into sculptural pieces exploring nostalgia, form and function.

Hosted in a former private bank, the show marks a key step in Alamoudi’s international career and spotlights creative Saudi voices globally.

Dates: June 15-25
Location: Basel Social Club, Basel, Switzerland

• New focus on handicrafts by the Saudi Cultural Development Fund

The Saudi Culture Development Fund has launched Nama’ Accelerators in partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Culture and Quality of Life Program, part of Vision 2030 initiatives. Nama’ Accelerators supports sustainable growth for cultural businesses through training, development and financial incentives, with multiple sector-specific tracks to roll out in the coming months.

The first track, Handicrafts, aligns with Saudi Arabia's 2025 Year of Handicrafts and targets micro, small and medium-sized enterprises  in 11 key fields, such as pottery, textiles and woodworking. Participants receive specialized training in modern craft techniques, workshops on marketing and business development, and improved access to local and global markets.

More details here.

• Jeddah Season returns

Part of Saudi Seasons — a series of cultural festivals held across Saudi Arabia to showcase the country’s art, culture, entertainment and cuisine, as well as promote tourism — Jeddah Season takes place during the summer, primarily in the city’s historic areas. Key highlights of the event this year include the City Walk, the Jeddah Shopping Festival, traditional dances, and a variety of concerts and shows for people of all ages and families.

Dates: Through July 30

Location: various locations, Jeddah

More details here.

4. Book of the week: “The Critical Case of a Man Called K”

Saudi author Aziz Mohammed delivers a gripping novel about a young man grappling with leukemia. Even before his diagnosis, he faced deep existential despair and sadness. Presented as a diary spanning 40 weeks — some entries missing due to his inconsistent ability to write — the novel reflects a life marked by unfulfillment.

An IT graduate working in computer security, the protagonist finds solace in his love of reading, which offers an escape from a life he finds tormenting.

5. View from Riyadh

A view of old Jeddah. (Photography by Kinzy Al Saheal)

Born in Jeddah, Saudi Palestinian photographer Kinzy Al Saheal studied fine and studio arts at Loyola Marymount University before returning to Saudi Arabia and becoming a full-time fashion photographer. While she recalls never feeling comfortable taking a photograph while growing up, after returning to Saudi Arabia during a moment of great change, Sahael is on the rise for her poignant fashion photography and artworks inspired by the surrealism and DADA movements. See more of her work here: @kinnzzzz.

6. By the numbers

• The current capital of the Cultural Development Fund, founded in 2021 to enhance the cultural landscape in Saudi Arabia, is estimated at $235 million.
• To date, over 1,300 cultural creators have benefited from the CDF’s services, according to the Fund. It has supported over 120 distinct cultural projects across various cultural sectors.
• In 2024, the CDF said it disbursed 195 million riyals, according to Khuta, a monthly newsletter published in the kingdom by the Development Ecosystem.