The sixth annual Tuwaiq Sculpture concluded, marking a successful 40-day event that attracted significant public engagement. The symposium and accompanying exhibition combined live sculpting, cultural exchange, and community participation, offering visitors an exceptional opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of contemporary sculpture.
This year’s edition provided a unique experience by allowing visitors to witness live sculpting, as 30 artists from 23 countries worked on their sculptures from January 15 to February 8. This year’s theme, “From Then to Now: Joy in the Struggle of Making,” captured the challenges and experiences that shape artistic creativity, enabling the public to interact with artists and follow their creative processes in real time.
The symposium enhanced its interactive dimension through a community engagement program, which included 11 panel discussions, 10 enriching workshops, six professional training programs, guided tours to introduce visitors to the art of sculpture, fostering cultural exchange and creative learning from various artistic traditions, a professional training program featuring 10 trainees who gained hands-on experience working alongside the artists and exchanged artistic and cultural knowledge.
Tuwaiq Sculpture was curated by lead curator Sebastian Betancur-Montoya and associate curator Dr. Manal Al-Harbi, whose expertise helped shape the artistic and cultural vision of the program.
“This year’s symposium embodied the power of art to transcend boundaries and build bridges between cultures,” Betancur-Montoya said. “The sculptures are not just artistic creations but symbols of creativity and collaboration that will remain as lasting testaments to this remarkable artistic moment,” he added.
Following the live sculpting phase, the completed artwork was unveiled at an exhibition from February 12 to February 24. The final showcase provided visitors with a unique opportunity to view all sculptures together before they are distributed across various locations in Riyadh. The sculptures, reflecting a fusion of global artistic perspectives and innovative techniques, will become permanent installations throughout the city, reinforcing Riyadh Art’s vision of enriching public spaces, fostering a creative economy, and establishing Riyadh as a leading global art hub.
Riyadh Art extends its appreciation to the artists, curators, and visitors whose contributions were instrumental in the success of this year’s edition. The city remains committed to its artistic and cultural journey, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal of transforming the Kingdom into a global center for culture and the arts, while shaping a vibrant urban environment filled with creativity and innovation.