Joanna James
Wandering around the streets of Jeddah treat you to the wonders of Middle Eastern culture; but as much as this Saudi Arabian city is popular for its traditions, there is a rise in classy galleries which are bringing the wonders of contemporary art to Jeddah. Listed are a few worth exploring.
This gallery is a platform for both local and international artists to show off their talents. The Athr Gallery is one of Saudi Arabia's classiest and most celebrated galleries in Jeddah for contemporary art. Displays there comprise of montages, ink drawings, photographs, sculpture, scripture, and abstracts. The works of renowned Saudi Arabian artists are displayed at this venue located at Tahlia Street, which is less than 10 minutes from Ascott Tahlia Jeddah, one of the hotels in the city where guests seeking hotel apartments in Jeddah may settle down.
One of Saudi Arabia's largest and most notable galleries the Arabian Wings Gallery boasts over 1500sqm of space and an 8-metre high ceiling to create the illusion of endless space. Making full use of its huge girth this gallery is a treat to explore. Catering to up-and-coming artists as well as established names such as, Damien Hirst, Banksy, Heba Amed etc. the gallery is fitted with state of the art security and climate control systems which are on par with the world's best.
This gallery has been in existence for over 25 years. The place is most famous for its collection of paintings by Mona Al Qasabi, which depict everyday scenes in the most-loveliest shades of reds and golds. There, apart for the interesting art courses on offer, visitors are treated to exciting and interactive displays which make you want to keep going back. Courses are conducted for males, females, and children separately, covering subjects such as pottery, calligraphy and oil painting.
This gallery was established to accommodate the work of Saudi Arabian artist Safeya Binzagr and while it continues to showcase a wide selection of the artist's work, there are other displays too covering and exhibiting the work of international and local artists.
The exhibits at this gallery are wholly enchanting; there you are treated to stunning landscapes, floral painting, authentic Islamic artwork and lots more. There is also a fine selection of celebrated Arabic artists work up for sale, which gives you a chance to take home some unique masterpieces.
Saudi modernistic artworks are given prominence at this gallery. The place focuses more on a local clientele than tourists and displays items as sculptures and canvas paintings. But, since some of the staff speaks English, international visitors are warmly welcomed to explore the place. Best of all the displays are rotated often, which means the gallery puts up a fresh exhibit on a regular basis. The gallery's main goal is to display art, which can be classified as 'art to hang above the sofa'.
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A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
