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Tuwaiq Sculpture 2026: A Celebration of Art and Urban Transformation

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City has proudly announced the opening of the Tuwaiq Sculpture 2026 exhibition, held from February 9 to 22, 2026, on Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Street (Al Tahlia) in Riyadh. This marks the seventh edition of the Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium, showcasing a remarkable collection of sculptures created during the symposium. The event is free and aims to engage the public with contemporary art.

Under the compelling theme of "Footprints of What Will Be," this year's exhibition delves into the essence of transformation. The artworks reflect not just physical changes within Riyadh but also the broader evolution of the city’s cultural landscape. The Al Tahlia site is historically significant, having once hosted Riyadh's first desalination plants, and now serves as a backdrop to this innovative artistic showcase.

This year's exhibition features 25 large-scale sculptures crafted from locally sourced stone and reclaimed metals, emphasizing sustainability and the creative process. Visitors to the exhibition had the unique opportunity to witness the artistic endeavors unfold during the live sculpture phase from January 10 to February 5, 2026. Artists participating in the symposium are from 18 different countries, selected from over 650 applicants worldwide, underscoring Riyadh’s commitment to fostering a diverse and thriving art community.

The artworks created during the symposium explore a range of themes, including memory, responsible resource usage, environmental innovation, and the effects of human intervention on natural environments. The curation of Tuwaiq Sculpture 2026 has been undertaken by Lulwa Alhomoud, Sarah Staton, and Rut Blees Luxemburg, who bring a wealth of experience in public art, spatial practice, and contemporary visual culture.

In addition to the exhibition, an engaging program of interactive workshops, roundtable discussions, and educational visits will complement the artistic presentations, reinforcing the symposium's mission to act as a cultural hub that encourages community involvement and enhances contemporary art appreciation.

All artworks produced during this edition will become part of Riyadh's Permanent Art Collection, destined for future installation in prominent public spaces throughout the city. This initiative sheds light on the long-term vision to weave contemporary sculpture into the fabric of Riyadh's urban environment, ensuring that the impact of this artistic endeavor extends well beyond the exhibition period.

Since its inception in 2019, the Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium has brought together over 170 local and international artists, contributing numerous artworks to Riyadh's Permanent Art Collection. To date, more than 60 sculptures from previous editions have been established in selected locations across the city, with plans for further installations that demonstrate a sustainable approach to enhancing public art in Riyadh.

The Tuwaiq Sculpture 2026 exhibition is not just an event, but a testament to Riyadh's evolving artistic landscape, and an invitation for everyone to engage with the innovative spirit of urban transformation. For more information, visit riyadhart.rcrc.gov.sa/en/tuwaiq-sculpture.