AL-Monitor Riyadh: Lebanese artist Lana Khayat at Hafez Gallery
This week, we take you through the opening of a new exhibition by Lebanese artist Lana Khayat at Hafez Gallery in Riyadh.
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This week, we take you through the opening of a new exhibition by Lebanese artist Lana Khayat at Hafez Gallery in Riyadh, introduce you to one of the Saudi capital’s most popular brunch spots, and highlight the architectural structure that won the inaugural AlMusalla Prize as part of the second Islamic Arts Biennale.
Leading the week: “The White Lilies of Marrakech”
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“The Feminine Script” (2024) by Lana Khayat. Oil and acrylic on linen canvas. (Courtesy of the artist and Hafez Gallery)
Last week, an exhibition of abstract works by Lebanese artist Lana Khayat exploring cultural memory, femininity and linguistic heritage opened at Hafez Gallery in Riyadh. Titled “The White Lilies of Marrakech,” the works in the exhibition seek to forge a bridge between the past and present, the static and the fluid, and silence and noise.
“My art is a dialogue between worlds — a bridge where nature, heritage and abstraction converge to celebrate the strength and resilience of women,” wrote Khayat in her artist’s statement. “Rooted in the harmony of opposites, my work reflects my life between the vibrant landscapes of Spain and the serene expanse of the Arabian desert.”
In Khayat’s work, the lily — a signature motif of her practice — represents transformation and empowerment. It also symbolizes the strength of women who, like the lily with its aesthetic grace, handle challenges with ease and fortitude, thriving against all odds.
The unique forms that dominate her canvases nod to ancient scripts, particularly Tifinagh and Phoenician. The continuity of their distinct yet indecipherable forms is akin to a visual language of its own. “These symbols, carriers of history and identity, inspire me to create contemporary abstractions that honor the past while speaking to the present,” she wrote.
While her paintings clearly reference the Middle East, both ancient and modern, Khayat affirms the intent of her work is to rise above borders and resonate universally with themes of heritage, identity and transformation.
Date: Until March 23
Location: Hafez Gallery in Jax District, Riyadh
Find more information here.
Word on the street: Lunchroom
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Baked goods are made in a clay oven at Lunchroom. (Courtesy of Lunchroom)
Dubbed the first brunch destination in Riyadh, this increasingly popular eatery originated in Kuwait and features a casual a la carte brunch menu with a variety of sweet and savory breakfast items from both the region and around the world.
Located in Al Mohammadiyyah’s Pure Centre complex, there’s something for everyone here, from fresh salads to delicious breads and pizzas made in the restaurant’s clay oven. Of note is its signature 48-hour fermented sourdough panuozzo — an Italian sandwich made with pizza bread stuffed with meat and vegetables — and its ode to eggs dish. There are also American-style pancakes and delicious specialty coffees. The menu is as comforting as the warm and inviting ambiance.
Location: 8030 Takhassusi Branch Road 3228, Riyadh 12364
Find more information here.
Riyadh diary
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An exterior view of the winning AlMusalla Prize at the second Islamic Arts Biennale. Photography by Mansor Alsofi. (Courtesy of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation)
Islamic Arts Biennale 2025
Not to miss when visiting the second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah is the inaugural AlMusalla Prize winner, launched by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation. Prominently located in AlMidhallah, or The Canopy, under the expansive tented structures of the Western Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport, this modular structure, or Musalla, is known in Arabic as a space apart from a mosque used for prayer and contemplation. Inspired by regional weaving traditions, the structure is made from sustainable local materials, including date palm waste, palm fronds and fibers. It evokes a sense of meditative calm while reinterpreting the Bedouin tradition of temporary musallas.
Date: Until May 25
Location: Western Hajj Terminal at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport
Find more information here.
"Adaptability” at SAMoCA
The Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art at Jax (SAMoCA@Jax) inaugurated “Adaptability,” an exhibition inviting visitors on a journey of discovery and reflection on the enduring dialogue between humanity and the primal language of clay. “Adaptability” tells the timeless story of clay, its birth and its transformation at the hands of the earliest humans who used clay as a vital tool. Showcasing the works of 11 artists from five Arab countries (Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco and Jordan), the exhibition takes visitors on a journey through time, from the discovery of clay and ancient techniques to cutting-edge artistic creations and technologically assisted craftsmanship of today.
Date: Until May 20
Location: 6891, Al Diriyah Al Jadidah, 2308, Riyadh 13732
Find more information here.
“Digital Civilization” at Misk Art Institute
This exhibition showcases the works of the five winners of the Misk Art Grant 2024, highlighting diverse mediums, including analog and digital within mixed media installations. The works on display explore the evolving relationship between humanity and technology. In an era influenced by data transmission and social media, the exhibition explores how emerging technologies are impacting connections between human beings both on and off the screen.
Date: Until Feb. 27
Location: Prince Faisal bin Fahd Arts Hall, Riyadh
Find more information here.
Book of the week: “The Dove’s Necklace”
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In this novel, Saudi author Raja Alem takes readers to the streets of Mecca where a dead woman is discovered in Abu Al Roos, one of the city’s many alleyways. No one claims her body, ashamed by her lack of clothing. Detective Nasser, the novel’s protagonist, leads the investigation, guiding readers through the secret life of the holy city of Mecca, exploring old and new traditions, the struggle between past and present, the material and the spiritual realms, and desires for a new future.
View from Riyadh
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A street scene in the Al-Balad historic district of Jeddah, by Zuhair AlTraifi. (Courtesy of Zuhair AlTraifi)
Based in Dammam in Saudi Arabia’s eastern province, Zuhair AlTraifi began his photography journey in 2010, inspired by the scenes he observed on city streets. In late 2013, he launched a project capturing the streets of Saudi Arabia with the goal to document distinctive places and unique architecture that distinguishes cities across the kingdom.
By the numbers
- In 2024, Saudi Arabia's tourism sector continued its strong post-pandemic growth, with international tourist arrivals rising by 73% in the first seven months compared to the same period in 2019. During this time, international tourism revenues surged by 207%, according to the UN Tourism World Tourism Barometer.
- The kingdom achieved a 56% growth in the number of international tourists in 2023 compared to 2019, with the number of tourists reaching 27.4 million. This placed the country at the top of the UN Tourism Data Dashboard in the index of the growth rate of international tourists for major tourist destinations in 2023.