From Riyadh to Milan: Saudi art finds a global canvas

Welcome to Al-Monitor Riyadh.

This week, we are spotlighting the Misk Art Institute’s Summer Residency in Milan — where two Saudi artists are wrapping up a three-month period of creative work — a new Egyptian restaurant in the Saudi capital, the upcoming Asaan Museum designed by Zaha Hadid Architects in Diriyah and summer festivals in Al-Baha and Najran.

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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: Misk Art Institute stages summer residency in Italy

Latifa Al Bokhari and Madhawi Al Gwaiz in their studios in Milan. (Courtesy of Misk Art Institute)

The Misk Art Institute (MAI), a subsidiary of Mohammed bin Salman Foundation known as “Misk,” is running a residency program in collaboration with Casa degli Artisti — a prominent artist residency and cultural center in Milan. This year two Saudi female artists, Latifa Al Bokhari and Madhawi Al Gwaiz, were selected for the 2025 visual arts residency program supported by MAI.

Al Bokhari, known for her multidisciplinary work across mixed media installation and analogue photography, explores themes of memory and nostalgia. Born in 1994, she spent many years living in Texas — an experience that continues to influence her art.

The piece she created during her residency in Milan is titled “To Care and Be Cared For.” It takes the form of a linen couch molded to the shape of a human body, serving as a metaphorical space for emotion and shared human experience.

Madhawi, who studied engineering at university, creates work that is highly architectural in form. Inspired by the heritage and history of Saudi Arabia, she uses traditional media like colored pencil and acrylic to explore themes of nostalgia and Saudi and Khaleeji pop culture. Her playful sketching style, which she calls “Altmast,” explores daily life and culture.

The residency, part of Misk Art Institute’s International Residencies initiative, reflects a growing focus on international collaboration for Saudi cultural practitioners. It is one of several MAI cultural initiatives abroad, including in Berlin. The residencies aim to promote cultural dialogue, emphasize place-based storytelling and affirm that Saudi art belongs in global conversations.

The residency will culminate in a final showcase at the studio of each artist at the Casa degli Artisti.

Dates: July 4

Location: Casa degli Artisti

Find more information here.

2. Word on the street: Abou el Sid

A plate of Egyptian specialties at Abou el Sid in Riyadh. (Courtesy of Abou el Sid)

The renowned Egyptian eatery Abou el Sid is now open in Riyadh. Established 25 years ago in Cairo, the restaurant is named after a fictional Fatimid-era character celebrated for his kindness and exceptional culinary skills. Known for its authentic Egyptian cuisine, Abou el Sid’s original Zamalek location is beloved for its 1940s-inspired ambiance and richly flavored dishes. The new Riyadh branch offers a similarly nostalgic vibe. Be sure to try classics such as Alexandrian-style chicken liver, seafood tajin, fried aubergine and the legendary Om Aly, a traditional Egyptian dessert enjoyed across the region.

Location: Esplanade Lifestyle Center, Prince Turki Bin Abdulaziz Al Awal Road, Riyadh

Find more information here.

3. Riyadh diary

A rendering of the upcoming Asaan Museum. (Courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects)

• Zaha Hadid Architects design Misk Heritage Museum

Also known as the Asaan Museum, the Zaha Hadid Architects-designed structure is currently under construction in At-Turaif, Diriyah — a historic area on the northwestern outskirts of Riyadh and the original birthplace of the House of Saud. Supported by the Misk Foundation, the museum is part of the $63 billion Diriyah Gate Development and will span 40,000 square meters across three stories. Its design reflects the scale and aesthetic of the old town of Diriyah and is organized around three shaded courtyards that serve as anchors for the museum’s core pillars: education, art and administration. 

The design of the new museum will encompass traditional Najdi architecture styles and constitute Zaha Hadid Architects’ first mud-brick museum. 

In its opening announcement, the architectural firm stated that the building will be "constructed with thick adobe walls that offer high insulating properties suited to Diriyah’s hot desert climate. The low-embodied-carbon materials incorporate high thermal mass to maintain interior comfort while reducing energy demand for cooling."

Asaan’s role extends beyond preserving and displaying artifacts; it seeks to inspire meaningful engagement through immersive experiences that connect past, present and future generations—strengthening pride in Saudi identity and sharing our cultural legacy with the world,” said Khaled Al-Saqer, CEO of Asaan, Misk Heritage Museum, in the opening press release.

Location: At-Turaif, Diriyah

Find more information here.

• Misk Art Institute stages 3rd edition of Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Art Exhibition

The Misk Art Institute, part of the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, has announced the staging of the third edition of the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Art Exhibition: Summer 2025, under the theme “The Intergenerational Lens of Social Change.”

The exhibition will highlight the role of art in exploring societal transformations across generations, providing Saudi and international artists with a platform to present their perspectives through creative means. The showcased artwork spans a range of media, including paintings, abstract drawings, photography, multimedia installations and synthetic compositions.

Dates: July 25 - Sept. 25

Location: Prince Faisal bin Fahd Arts Hall, Riyadh

Find more information here.

• Summer Festival in Al-Baha

Located in the Hejaz region of Saudi Arabia within the Sarawat Mountains, in the southwest part of the country between Makkah and the Aseer regions, Al-Baha is known for its lush valleys, mountainous terrain, forests and rich heritage. On June 29, the emir of Al-Baha, Prince Hussam bin Saud, inaugurated the 45th Al-Baha Summer Festival 2025, held under the theme “Al Baha Heritage and Tourism.”

The festival is set to stage 500 events and draw 2.5 million visitors. These events comprise recreational and cultural activities, sports and community programs — all aligned with the region’s goals under Saudi Vision 2030 to boost domestic tourism.

Dates: Through Aug. 12

Location: Al-Baha

Find more information here.

4. Book of the week: “The Prayer of Anxiety”

Mohammed Samir’s compelling novel is the recipient of the 2025 International Prize for Arabic Fiction. Set in Egypt during the late 1970s, 10 years after the Naksa — meaning "setback," when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forced to leave their homeland — the novel recounts the story of the people residing in the village of Nag’ Al-Manassi in Upper Egypt. The inhabitants believe the village is surrounded by a minefield and therefore cannot leave. As a result, they know little about events outside and believe the war between Egypt and Israel is ongoing, with their village on the frontlines. When an unknown object falls on the village and dozens of residents become ill, the local sheikh introduces a new prayer called the “Prayer of Anxiety.”

5. View from Riyadh

A Saudi gas pump. (Courtesy of Abdulmajeed Al Roudhan).

Winner of the third edition of the Kingdom Photography Award 2025, spearheaded by the Saudi Visual Arts Commission, Abdulmajeed Al Roudhan is renowned for his documentary-style photography capturing the essence of Saudi Arabia. For his submission, he chose the theme “Waystations,” documenting the architecture of old Saudi gas stations before they disappear amid newer, more modern developments.

6. By the numbers

• Saudi Arabia has announced a one-time 30-day grace period, starting June 26, allowing holders of expired visit visas to regularize their status and exit the kingdom without penalties.
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is flowing again into Saudi Arabia, with first-quarter figures released on Sunday showing inflows reaching $6.4 billion — a 24% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This marks the strongest start to a year since 2022.