AL-Monitor Riyadh: 'Report Error' transforms daily items in Abha

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This week we guide you through exhibitions in Abha, Riyadh and Jeddah, showcasing the work of younger to mid-career Saudi artists. We introduce a popular restaurant in Riyadh, Suhail, offering delicious Saudi cuisine within an upscale, contemporary ambiance, and we give you the lowdown on the top-performing lots in Sotheby’s inaugural auction in Riyadh last weekend.

Leading the week: "Reporter Error"

This dynamic exhibition taking place in Muhay Studio in downtown Abha, the capital of the Asir region in southwest Saudi Arabia, was curated by Ashraf Fayadh and presents nine visual artworks ranging from installations and videos to Arabic calligraphy paintings presented in new and distinct styles. Running until Feb. 25 and titled “Report Error,” the exhibition’s title refers to the idea of disruption of artistic form whereby the show’s participating artists — Hussain Muhay, Aisha Alsalh, Yazid Aldayel and Mzoon Al saleh — manipulate everyday objects and elements, transforming them from daily use items into unique artworks. 

“Different cultures and societies view art in different ways,” Fayadh told Al-Monitor. “What we are showing is the deconstruction, error or damage made to an object, to then convert it into a work of art.”

In one work, for example, a broken bicycle has become a work of art, showing how even if an object loses its function it can still have a creative purpose.

Date: Until Feb. 25

Location: Al Khasha, Abha 

Find more information here.

Word on the street: Suhail

A view of Suhail restaurant in Riyadh. (Courtesy of Suhail)

Amid a plethora of new fancy international openings in the Saudi capital, this homegrown restaurant reflects the richness of Saudi cuisine and the national pride derived from the Gulf nation’s gastronomical breadth. Named after one of the brightest stars in the sky, the eatery combines an upscale, trendy ambiance with delicious traditional dishes. Try the maroq curry, a Gulf favorite elevated with the addition of truffle oil; jareesh, meticulously garnished with caramelized onions and gold leaf and served in ceramic pottery; and lamb kabsa, made of layers of marinated meat served among generous portions of savory rice. Order hneini cheesecake for dessert, combining layers of Saudi date sweets on a thick biscuit base with mouth-watering servings of cardamom caramel sauce.

Location: Northern Ring Road, An Nakheel, Riyadh

Find more information here.

Riyadh diary

Portrait of Iron by Nasser Al Salem on view at ATHR in Riyadh. (Courtesy of Nasser Al Salem)

“The Edge of Language” by Nasser Al Salem at ATHR

At ATHR’s JAX Gallery in Riyadh, Saudi artist Nasser Al Salem is staging a solo exhibition until March 20 that explores expanded perspectives of Arabic calligraphy, examining its potential as a contemporary medium to portray the complexities of modern life.

Born in Mecca, Al Salem redefines Arabic calligraphy by merging traditional

craftsmanship with conceptual innovation. The exhibition was inspired by Ludwig Wittgenstein’s concept of “The Edge of Words,” which Al Salem incorporated to explore language as a symbolic tool with which to navigate the tension between chaos and order in the world.

Date: Until March 20

Location: ATHR Gallery Riyadh JAX District

Find more information here.

Wasl Art Space Jeddah

Curated by Saudi artist Basma Felemban, “YSA’25,” which runs until April 23, exhibits the works of YSA, a platform for launching emerging artists that has been active since 2011, empowering over 200 emerging Saudi and Saudi-based artists. The program provides artists with the opportunity to develop and exhibit their projects within a professional context, while also collaborating with curators and exhibition professionals. The YSA exhibition — curated by Felemban, an acclaimed Saudi artist and graphic designer — marks the closure of an open call overseen by a committee of experts and international artists.

Date: Until April 23

Location: Park Mall, Jeddah

Find more information here.

Minzal, Wadi Experience

Minzal cultural camp has returned to showcase Diriyah’s rich culture and history. As part of Diriyah Season, this activity allows visitors to explore art installations, experience traditional music and peruse local markets. It is set against the backdrop of mountainous terrain nearby Riyadh. Activities include engaging with horses in AlKhayal, participating in interactive workshops in Al-Birwaz, partaking in gourmet dining at Al-Mashb, stargazing, 3D light shows, luxury glamping experiences and musical concerts.

Date: Until Feb. 21 

Location: Al Duhami Farms, Diriyah, Riyadh

Find more information here.

Book of the week: “Saudi Arabia Under Ibn Saud”

This book traces Saudi Arabia since its founding in 1932. Characterized by tribal warfare, political turmoil, continuous financial shortages and economic crises, as a desert chieftain, Abd al-Aziz Ibn Saud, the ruler and king until 1953, had to cleverly employ his power to control competing tribes and bring peace to the region. But economic matters were not his strength, and he entrusted Abdullah al-Sulayman al-Hamdan to handle the country's early financial dealings and administrative development. This fascinating book examines the role of the Ministry of Finance and its minister, Abdullah al-Sulayman, to maintain stability within the country financially and administratively until substantial oil income was realized a few years after the end of World War II.

View from Riyadh

A photograph by Meshari Aldosari showcasing a classic car in front of a building from the 1950s/1960s. (Courtesy of Meshari Aldosari)

Practicing photography since 2007, in this series Meshari Aldosari highlights the architectural features of homes built between the 1950s and the 1960s in Saudi Arabia with the inclusion of variously colored classic cars. The resulting image is rich in color and captures a side of the kingdom visitors rarely see.

By the numbers

• At Sotheby’s inaugural auction in Riyadh last weekend, the corporation made over $17 million worth of sales.
• Nearly one-third of all the lots were sold to buyers from Saudi Arabia, and more than 30% of bidders were under the age of 40, according to Sotheby’s.
• Top sellers were works by Bansky and Rene Magritte — each selling for around $1.2 million.