Saudi art foundation invites artists to challenge their creativity

JEDDAH: The Saudi-based Kinda Foundation for Contemporary Arab Art has opened applications for its special contest entitled “Creativity Initiative 2020,” which embraces creativity in self-isolation in the COVID-19 pandemic.

The contest invites artists in the Kingdom to challenge their curiosity and create any type of artworks that focus on the pandemic or its wider repercussions for all segments of society around the globe.

The contest was launched under the patronage of Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al-Saud and seeks to encourage people to remain positive and productive in a time of crisis, channeling their creativity as a sign of victory over fear and isolation.

“The contest also aims to encourage artists to work with what is to hand, making eco-friendly art as well as creating an outlet of expression for everyone in these tough times,” said Diyala Al-Mandil, Kinda foundation board member.

There are two sections, one including painting, sculpture, book art, object art and classic and digital printmaking and the second including photography and video.

The deadline for submissions is Aug. 31, 2020.

Ten winners will be announced in November and will receive awards of between SR7,500 and 22,500 ($2,000-6,000).

The foundation’s director said the collection of participating works will be presented as gift to the Saudi Museum of Contemporary Art which is opening soon in Diriyah, on the north-western outskirts of Saudi Arabia’s capital.

Al-Mandil stressed that art is a unifying subject internationally, especially in times of crises, “Art is a voice for everyone, it doesn’t matter what one’s background, language or gender. It goes beyond all these barriers and has the ability to unite and educate,” she said.

Kinda Foundation for Contemporary Arab Art is a private non-profit foundation based in Riyadh. It manages and displays its own collection around the world and provides a platform for artists in the Arab world to meet and collaborate.

“We are a MENA foundation, uniting the Arab world through art, mainly focusing on Arab art done by Arab artists whether at home or in diaspora,” said Al-Mandil, “we promote artists as much as we can and encourage dialogue between artists and the public.”

She said that there are very few people who give a voice to Middle Eastern art, though it recently began to gain increasing attention.

The Kinda Foundation began its activities in 1982 and supports artistic practices, spreads awareness and stimulates critical discourse in our societies. It does so by working with prestigious international art bodies, holding exhibitions and art residencies and contributing to the documentation and archiving of Arab art.

Al-Mandil highlighted the Culture Minister’s support for private sector organizations focused on the arts and art collectors’ activities, and noted that bigger initiatives by the foundation are to be announced soon.

Participants must send photos of their works, along with their technical specifications,  a recent personal photo and a brief bio, to: admin@kindafoundation.org.