#Saudi Arabia #Riyadh #Tuwaiq Sculpture #Riyadh Art

Tuwaiq Sculpture 2026 Exhibition: A Cultural Milestone

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City, through its Riyadh Art Program, has proudly announced the opening of the Tuwaiq Sculpture 2026 Exhibition, marking the seventh edition of this esteemed international event. Taking place between February 9 and February 22, 2026, this exhibition will highlight 25 remarkable sculptures crafted during the live sculpting phase, which ran from January 10 to February 5. Located on the historic Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Street (Al Tahlia), the exhibition is open to the public at no cost, allowing everyone to engage with contemporary art.

This year’s theme, Traces of What Will Be, emphasizes transformation—a core aspect of both the physical pieces and the evolving identity of Riyadh. The exhibition grounds itself in a significant historical context, as Al Tahlia is known for being home to the city’s early water desalination stations. This connection to innovation and sustainability enriches the viewing experience, providing attendees with a sense of how art intersects with urban development and quality of life improvement.

Artistic Diversity and Collaboration

The Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium and Exhibition unites Saudi and international artists from 18 countries, selected from an impressive pool of over 650 applications spanning 50 countries. Judged by a specialized international jury, the selected artworks offer a wide array of interpretations related to this year’s theme. These works explore essential topics such as memory, sustainable resource use, environmental innovation, and the effects of human presence in both natural and urban environments.

The curatorial framework for Tuwaiq Sculpture 2026 is under the expert guidance of Lulwa Alhomoud, Sarah Staton, and Rut Blees Luxemburg, whose collective insights from public art and contemporary visual culture inform both the pieces on display and the thematic explorations undertaken by each artist. The focus on materiality, site-specificity, and futurism enhances the engagement of the works with their surroundings and encourages viewers to contemplate the evolving public space.

Engaging the Community

Accompanying the exhibition is a robust interactive program designed to engage the community. This program includes workshops, panel discussions, and educational visits, reinforcing the Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium's commitment to serving as an accessible cultural platform. Through these initiatives, the symposium aims to stimulate community involvement and elevate awareness around contemporary art practices.

All artworks produced during the Tuwaiq Sculpture 2026 edition will also be integrated into the permanent Riyadh Art Collection, with plans for future installations at significant public locations throughout the city. This long-term vision intertwines contemporary sculptural art into daily life in Riyadh, expanding the program's influence beyond the exhibition’s duration.

Since the symposium’s inception in 2019, it has fostered the creative expression of over 170 artists from around the globe. Notably, more than 60 sculptures have already been permanently installed throughout the city, promising an enduring legacy of public art that enriches Riyadh’s urban landscape.

The Tuwaiq Sculpture 2026 Exhibition represents more than just a display of artistic talent; it embodies the ongoing journey towards cultural enrichment and urban transformation within Riyadh. Visitors are encouraged to explore this groundbreaking exhibition and witness firsthand the power of art in shaping community and consciousness.

For more details about the exhibition and related events, please visit riyadhart.rcrc.gov.sa/en/tuwaiq-sculpture.