Contest to popularize art in Kingdom concludes

The Arabian Wings Contemporary Arts Awards winners were announced here on Tuesday during the inauguration of the exhibition that showcases their work as well as that of 43 other artists who participated in the contest.
The works will be exhibited for the public for 15 days at “The Gallery” premises of Arabian Wings.
The Arabian Wings Contemporary Arts Awards and Exhibition are organized by Arabian Wings with the cooperation of Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiative (ALJCI).
For the fifth year in a row, Abdullah A. Al-Taezi, manager at the Saudi Arabian Society for Arts and Culture, awarded the winners in the presence of Mohammed Al-Hakami, ALJCI senior general manager; and Nihar Marzooq, Saudi artist and head of the Saudi Society for Fine Arts in Jeddah.
Al-Taezi praised the efforts of Arabian Wings and said that the idea of contemporary art awards was an excellent initiative toward the enhancement of the artists.
“I appreciate the initiatives and all the efforts of arranging the exhibition of 43 artists. The winners are capable of participating in all types of art exhibitions and contests. I am sure they will also be able to help the society with their excellent ideas and hard work,” said Al-Taezi.
Al-Hakami expressed his pleasure with the efforts made. “We are all very proud that Arabian Wings organizes this phenomenal event, as it will be the corner stone for the new art movement and lead to better understanding of contemporary art,” he said.
He praised the Saudi artists’ artwork and ideas and said he was confident they would carry the name of the country to new heights.
A total of 120 artists applied to join this year’s contest, but only 60 were accepted, based on the contest’s rules and criteria.
The jury committee consisted of Khalid bin Afif, photographer and artist; Khalid Al-Ameer, artist; and Mohammed Haider, artist.
The first three winners, Ashjan Khalid Alslimani, Kholoud Al-Baqmi, and Kholoud Abdul Razzaq, received prize money worth SR 15,000, SR 10,000, and SR 5,000, respectively.
Arabian Wings announced the contest on Sept. 1, and registration was closed on Dec. 15, 2012. The objective of the contest was to enhance the artists’ talents without any discrimination of nationality.