‘Art of the Kingdom’ takes contemporary Saudi creations to a global audience

‘Art of the Kingdom’ takes contemporary Saudi creations to a global audience
Nasser Al-Salem’s 'Arabi/Gharbi' is part of the exhibition. (Supplied)
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Updated 11 November 2024
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‘Art of the Kingdom’ takes contemporary Saudi creations to a global audience

‘Art of the Kingdom’ takes contemporary Saudi creations to a global audience
  • Work of 17 artists showcased to coincide with G20 Summit in Brazil
  • Honors our past, says Mona Khazindar, advisor at Culture Ministry

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Museums Commission will inaugurate “Art of the Kingdom,’ the country’s first traveling contemporary exhibition, at the historic Paco Imperial building in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this week.

The exhibition from Nov. 13 to Jan. 12 runs under the theme “Poetic Illuminations” and seeks to offer international audiences a look at Saudi Arabia’s evolving contemporary art scene.




The exhibition from Nov. 13 to Jan. 12 runs under the theme “Poetic Illuminations.” (Supplied)

Launching to coincide with the upcoming G20 Summit in Brazil, “Art of the Kingdom” features the work of 17 artists, each representing a range of generations and styles, with mediums spanning paintings, installations, and video art.

The artists featured are Sara Abuabdallah, Ghada Al-Hassan, Ayman Yossri Daydban, Ahmed Mater, Emy Kat, Ayman Zedani, Shadia Alem, Nasser Al-Salem, Manal Al-Dowayan, Lina Gazzaz, Muhannad Shono, Sarah Brahim, Daniah Alsaleh, Faisal Samra, Filwa Nazer, Moath Alofi, and Ahad Al-Amoudi.

The “Art of the Kingdom” show will travel to Riyadh in early 2025, where it will be showcased at the Saudi Museum of Contemporary Art in the JAX district. At the end of the year, it will be presented at the National Museum of China in Beijing.




Launching to coincide with the upcoming G20 Summit in Brazil, “Art of the Kingdom” features the work of 17 artists. (Supplied)

Mona Khazindar, advisor at the Ministry of Culture, in a written response to questions from Arab News, stated that the exhibition “is a testament to the profound impact that art has on our understanding of history, culture and community.

“It not only honors our country’s past and collective memory, but also demonstrates the dynamic role art plays in connecting us to our shared identity, inspiring creativity and dialogue for generations to come.”

Curator Diana Wechsler, in her response to questions, said “every exhibition must open new horizons for its audience, offering an experience of discovery and challenging habitual thinking.




The exhibition from Nov. 13 to Jan. 12 runs under the theme “Poetic Illuminations.” (Supplied)

“Exhibitions, to me, are also experiences of knowledge. This is especially important here, as this exhibition is the first to showcase a group of contemporary Saudi artists abroad.

She added: “The exhibition is the result of extensive research from which its central themes emerged. I visited many artists, most of them based in Saudi Arabia, and engaged in deep conversations about each artist’s creative experience.

“It was an immensely stimulating journey for me, and I hope this exhibition provides viewers with a similar path of understanding through its selected works.”




Through “Art of the Kingdom,” the museums authority aims to empower Saudi artists by highlighting their work globally. (Supplied)

Wechsler chose Nasser Al-Salem’s “Arabi/Gharbi” (“Arab/Foreigner”), with its large neon Arabic script, to both open and close the exhibition.

Wechsler explained: “This piece offers viewers both a question and a clue: what does this neon signify? It creates a symbolic boundary between the contemporary Saudi experience and the cultural framework of the audience.

“Through each piece, the exhibition unfolds like a revelation — a poetic illumination — exploring various facets of a captivating culture where past and present, tradition and transformation, are interwoven.

“Arriving at the end of this journey and encountering Al-Salem’s neon again, I imagine the audience will see it differently, their horizons broadened by the journey they have taken.”

Through “Art of the Kingdom,” the museums authority aims to empower Saudi artists by highlighting their work globally. It also seeks to establish the nation’s presence in the global art landscape, and foster cross-cultural appreciation and dialogue.




Launching to coincide with the upcoming G20 Summit in Brazil, “Art of the Kingdom” features the work of 17 artists. (Supplied)

The exhibition centers on two primary themes: the desert as a symbol of vastness, infinity, and life’s depth, and the singularity of Saudi cultural traditions as seen through the evolution of visual culture.

Artist Muhannad Shono said: “As Saudi Arabia now invests in its arts and cultural expression, and strives to invite the world in, it’s important that this cultural dialogue does not flow in one direction, but to also reach outwards in an honest and equal exchange of ideas with the world.

“My role is to continue to express and imagine, not only in my country but beyond its borders … bypassing the perceived lines that separate us and divide.”

Artists Sara Abu Abdallah and Ghada Al-Hassan, a mother and daughter team, are presenting a collaborative piece.

In a joint written response, they said their work, “Horizontal Dimensions,” explores “intergenerational complicity, the notion of home, urban transformation, and shared dreams and visions, bridging personal history with contemporary dialogue.

“As mother and daughter, we have always shared a creative bond, and this project allowed us to combine our voices and artistic visions to express something greater than the sum of its parts.

“By presenting this work at such a significant exhibition in Rio de Janeiro, we hope to contribute to the global conversation on cultural exchange and the evolving narratives of our region.”

 


Stormzy’s ‘Free Palestine’ Instagram post was not deleted due to McDonald’s ad, sources tell British newspaper

Stormzy’s ‘Free Palestine’ Instagram post was not deleted due to McDonald’s ad, sources tell British newspaper
Updated 15 February 2025
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Stormzy’s ‘Free Palestine’ Instagram post was not deleted due to McDonald’s ad, sources tell British newspaper

Stormzy’s ‘Free Palestine’ Instagram post was not deleted due to McDonald’s ad, sources tell British newspaper

DUBAI: Sources close to British rapper Stormzy have said that the artist did not delete his previous Instagram post in support of Palestine due to last week’s advert with McDonald’s, according to Sky News.

Unnamed sources told the British news outlet that it “is simply not true” that the “archiving” of his Instagram post and the release of the McDonald's campaign are linked.

The initial Instagram post read: “1. Free Palestine. 2. In the future, if there is ever a clear injustice in the world no matter how big or small, 100 times out of 100 I will always be on the side of the oppressed. Unequivocally. As I always have been.”

According to Sky News, the deletion of the post was part of a “mass archiving effort” last year and not linked to his new advert, the sources said.

The 31-year-old grime artist from south London has come under fire for collaborating with McDonald’s, which has repeatedly been accused of supporting Israel since the start of the war in Gaza.

He launched the limited edition “Stormzy Meal” on Wednesday in the UK. In an advert, actors speaking in his voice order the new offering, consisting of nine chicken nuggets, fries, BBQ sauce, a Sprite drink and an Oreo McFlurry dessert.

McDonald’s has faced boycotts worldwide and been subjected to protests after it emerged that its Israel franchises gave thousands of free meals to members of the Israeli military and their relatives after the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023. McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski previously condemned the boycotts as “disheartening and ill-founded,” saying they had harmed McDonald’s profits across the Middle East and elsewhere.

Franchise owners in Kuwait, Malaysia and Pakistan issued statements distancing themselves from the decision to hand out the free meals.

Fans responded to his McDonald’s collaboration critically, with one posting on social media that Stormzy is a “sellout.”

In an open letter to Stormzy, the UK-based  Peace and Justice Project  said his work with McDonald's is "hugely disappointing, especially given the musician's otherwise proud and solid record in supporting great causes and campaigns for social justice".

"We are therefore asking Stormzy to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people in their hour of need and respect the BDS committee's call for a global boycott of McDonald's by ending his new partnership with them," the group added. 

Kempczinski posted on LinkedIn in January 2024: “In every country where we operate, including in Muslim countries, McDonald’s is proudly represented by local owner-operators who work tirelessly to serve and support their communities while employing thousands of their fellow citizens.”

He added: “Our hearts remain with the communities and families impacted by the war in the Middle East. We abhor violence of any kind and firmly stand against hate speech, and we will always proudly open our doors to everyone.”


Andria Tayeh tapped by French haircare brand Kerastase as first Mideast brand ambassador

Andria Tayeh tapped by French haircare brand Kerastase as first Mideast brand ambassador
Updated 15 February 2025
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Andria Tayeh tapped by French haircare brand Kerastase as first Mideast brand ambassador

Andria Tayeh tapped by French haircare brand Kerastase as first Mideast brand ambassador

DUBAI: Lebanese Jordanian actress Andria Tayeh is the first Middle Eastern ambassador for French hair care brand Kerastase.

The 23-year-old actress took to Instagram to share the announcement on Friday, just over a week after she was named Italian luxury fashion house Giorgio Armani’s new Middle East beauty ambassador.

“Growing up, hair was always a big part of my identity, and now, representing a brand that celebrates hair in all its beauty feels surreal. Here’s to confidence, strength and great hair,” Tayeh captioned her latest post.

In the clip, she is seen in an all-white studio answering questions about why she is the ideal Kerastase ambassador. Tayeh speaks in a mixture of English, Arabic and French as she jokingly flips her hair for the camera and details her dedication to maintaining healthy hair.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Andria Tayeh (@andria_tayeh)

Known for her roles in Austrian filmmaker Kurdwin Ayub’s “Mond” and Netflix’s hit series “Al-Rawabi School for Girls,” Tayeh also took to Instagram in early February to celebrate her collaboration with Armani, writing: “I am thrilled and honored to embark on this new journey with Armani beauty.

 “This marks a real milestone for me, as the brand embodies values I have always cherished: timeless elegance, dramatic simplicity, and women empowerment,” she added. “Armani beauty reveals one’s charismatic personality in the most subtle and natural way. It’s this pure simplicity that creates an impact, and this is exactly what I hope to bring to the Arab cinema world.” 

The actress is the latest in a long line of regional stars who have been tapped by international luxury brands for brand ambassadorship roles.

French Algerian model Loli Bahia was tapped to be one of Yves Saint Laurent Beauty’s brand ambassadors in 2023, starring in a debut campaign for the brand alongside Chinese model Tao Ye.

In 2024, Lebanese British actress Razane Jammal was named Dior Beauty’s brand ambassador after being announced as the Middle East’s brand ambassador for Dior in October 2022.

Meanwhile, Spanish jewelry brand PDPAOLA named Saudi influencer Jory Almaiman a brand ambassador in late 2024, and Nancy Ajram became Tiffany & Co.'s first Arab brand ambassador the year before that.

 


Celebrity-loved Indian designer Manish Malhotra explores a new ‘globalized aesthetic’ at Dubai showcase

Celebrity-loved Indian designer Manish Malhotra explores a new ‘globalized aesthetic’ at Dubai showcase
Updated 15 February 2025
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Celebrity-loved Indian designer Manish Malhotra explores a new ‘globalized aesthetic’ at Dubai showcase

Celebrity-loved Indian designer Manish Malhotra explores a new ‘globalized aesthetic’ at Dubai showcase

DUBAI: Manish Malhotra is a name synonymous with opulence, craftsmanship and Bollywood glamour. As one of India’s most celebrated designers, Malhotra revolutionized South Asian couture and has dressed some of the biggest stars in the international entertainment industry.

From Bollywood royalty, including crossover star Priyanka Chopra, to Hollywood’s Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Anniston, Malhotra’s clothes have been seen on A-listers globally.

The designer closed out the latest edition of Dubai Fashion Week in February. (Supplied)

While his influence has extended outside India for some time now, Malhotra took it one step further by establishing a permanent foothold in the UAE. After opening his first international flagship store in Dubai in December 2023, he closed out the latest edition of Dubai Fashion Week in February.

Marking his first-ever international runway presentation, the lineup was everything loyal clients would expect and more. Titled “The World Collection: Dubai,” the clothes were a celebration of traditional Indian craftsmanship reinterpreted with global appeal.

His signature sequins adorned most of the clothes. (Supplied)

“I wanted to explore a more globalized aesthetic while staying true to the essence of Indian couture,” Malhotra told Arab News. “The silhouettes are bold yet effortless, tailored yet free flowing, designed to complement the modern woman’s dynamic lifestyle.”

His signature sequins adorned most of the clothes, and a metallic silver gown and a rainbow-colored gown with a fabric draping the model’s head stood out. Elsewhere, suits dominated the runway – but not the corporate kinds – more couture-esque with fluid cuts making them comfortable to move around in. The suits came with exquisite pearl embellishments, a nod to the region’s pearl diving heritage. Others were sequinned from head to toe, an ode to maximalism. “Suits, for me, have always been a powerful expression of confidence and individuality. With this collection, I wanted to explore tailoring in a way that felt both bold and glamorous while staying true to the essence of craftsmanship,” he explained.

Malhotra’s kaftans and abaya-like silhouettes were elegant and versatile. (Supplied)

Handwoven brocade came in the form of structured, button-down blazers with matching voluminous midi skirts, further spotlighting the craftsmanship Malhotra is known for. “I worked with master craftsmen to create handwoven brocades, intricate pearl embellishments and signature sequins, but the silhouettes were envisioned with an international sensibility.”

Suits dominated the runway – but not the corporate kinds, more couture-esque. (Supplied)

With sahoor and iftar gatherings just around the corner, Malhotra’s kaftans and abaya-like silhouettes were elegant and versatile. “This collection reflects a shift toward a more universal language of fashion – where heritage meets innovation, and tradition finds expression in modern, statement-making forms,” he said.


Pakistani actors Kubra Khan and Gohar Rasheed share photos from Grand Mosque after nikkah in Makkah

Pakistani actors Kubra Khan and Gohar Rasheed share photos from Grand Mosque after nikkah in Makkah
Updated 14 February 2025
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Pakistani actors Kubra Khan and Gohar Rasheed share photos from Grand Mosque after nikkah in Makkah

Pakistani actors Kubra Khan and Gohar Rasheed share photos from Grand Mosque after nikkah in Makkah
  • Khan and Rasheed remain among the most recognized faces in Pakistan’s entertainment industry
  • One of the images on social media shows them in the attire worn by pilgrims performing Umrah

KARACHI: Pakistani actors Kubra Khan and Gohar Rasheed announced their wedding on Friday, sharing photos on Instagram taken at the Grand Mosque in Makkah with the Kaaba, the black cubic structure at the center of Islam’s most sacred mosque, in the background.
Khan and Rasheed remain among the most recognized faces in Pakistan’s entertainment industry. With their marriage now public, fans and colleagues have flooded social media with congratulatory messages, celebrating their union.
Arab News attempted to contact both actors for further comments but did not receive a response. Most of their friends also refrained from speaking on the matter, though some confirmed that the nikkah, the Islamic marriage contract requiring mutual consent, took place in the Grand Mosque earlier this week on February 12.
“Under the Kursi [throne] of Allah… 70 thousand angels as witnesses and Rehmat [mercy] pouring down on us like rain… Qubool hai,” the two actors said in a joint Instagram post, referencing the belief in divine presence and blessings during their marriage and mentioning their acceptance of the bond in the last two words.
The images with the post showed the couple in the white attire worn by pilgrims performing Umrah, including a close-up of their hands placed on the Kaaba with wedding rings and another of them smiling at each other against the sacred black cube.

This photo, jointly posted by the couple on their respective official Instagram accounts on February 14, 2025, shows a close-up of their hands placed on the Kaaba with wedding rings, announcing their marriage on February 12, at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. (Photo courtesy: Instagram/@thekubism/@mirzagoharrasheed)

The Grand Mosque is considered the most sacred site in Islam, where millions of Muslims gather to perform Hajj and Umrah each year.
Kubra Khan, born Rabia Iqbal Khan, is a British-Pakistani actor known for her roles in popular television dramas such as “Sang-e-Mar Mar,” “Alif” and “Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay,” as well as films like “Na Maloom Afraad” and “Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2.”
Gohar Rasheed has built a reputation with performances in “Mann Mayal,” “Ishqiya” and “The Legend of Maula Jatt.” The two actors have been close friends for years and co-starred in the drama “Jannat Se Aagay,” fueling long-standing speculation about their relationship.


British rapper Stormzy criticized for McDonald’s collaboration

British rapper Stormzy criticized for McDonald’s collaboration
Updated 14 February 2025
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British rapper Stormzy criticized for McDonald’s collaboration

British rapper Stormzy criticized for McDonald’s collaboration
  • Chain has faced global boycotts over perceived support for Israeli military with free meals
  • Stormzy launched new meal in UK after deleting pro-Palestine social media post

LONDON: British rapper Stormzy has come under fire for collaborating with McDonald’s, which has repeatedly been accused of supporting Israel since the start of the war in Gaza.

He launched the limited edition “Stormzy Meal” on Wednesday in the UK. In an advert, actors speaking in his voice order the new offering, consisting of nine chicken nuggets, fries, BBQ sauce, a Sprite drink and an Oreo McFlurry dessert.

McDonald’s has faced boycotts worldwide and been subjected to protests after it emerged that its Israel franchises gave thousands of free meals to members of the Israeli military and their relatives after the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023.

At the time, CEO Chris Kempczinski condemned the boycotts as “disheartening and ill-founded,” saying they had harmed McDonald’s profits across the Middle East and elsewhere.

Franchise owners in Kuwait, Malaysia and Pakistan issued statements distancing themselves from the decision to hand out the free meals.

Stormzy previously published then deleted an Instagram post in support of the Palestinian cause.

He initially posted: “1. Free Palestine. 2. In the future, if there is ever a clear injustice in the world no matter how big or small, 100 times out of 100 I will always be on the side of the oppressed. Unequivocally. As I always have been.”

Fans responded to his McDonald’s collaboration critically, with one posting on social media that Stormzy is a “sellout,” and another asking: “Why delete your pro-Palestine posts?!”

McDonald’s said in 2023 that it was not responsible for the actions or promotions of individual franchises worldwide.

Kempczinski posted on LinkedIn in January 2024: “In every country where we operate, including in Muslim countries, McDonald’s is proudly represented by local owner-operators who work tirelessly to serve and support their communities while employing thousands of their fellow citizens.”

He added: “Our hearts remain with the communities and families impacted by the war in the Middle East. We abhor violence of any kind and firmly stand against hate speech, and we will always proudly open our doors to everyone.”