Getting a fresh outlook on Saudi’s cultural tapestry, natural beauty, and peculiarities, and bookmarking stunning places to visit in Asir this summer is possible under one roof thanks to these two exhibitions.
If you're keen to indulge in some new and interesting local art, whip out Google Maps and punch in Hayy Jameel, Jeddah, where two photography exhibitions are running concurrently. The first exhibition, Hayy Aynak – In a New Light, celebrates the 30 winners of this year’s Kingdom Photography Award, and the second, named When the Fog Whispers, showcases pictures of Asir, shot by five of the creatives who were invited to visit the area. The dedicated arts complex is presenting these Kingdom Photography Award exhibitions, organised by the Visual Arts Commission under the Ministry of Culture, until May 25.
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Get your culture fix while ambling through Hayy Aynak – In a New Light, where the photographs on show cover various subjects, including Saudi’s aesthetic diversity, from the pulse of city life to the stillness of the desert. It also exposes real-life situations with intimate snippets of everyday life in the Kingdom. The local and international finalists of the third edition of the Kingdom Photography Award certainly don’t disappoint in exposing the Kingdom’s beautiful vistas, rich stories, and maturing creative expression, which has “shifted from being a medium of documentation to a powerful form of cultural storytelling”, according to Mohamed Somji, the exhibition’s curator.
Heading into When the Fog Whispers, you’ll get an emotional and introspective look at Asir, a popular summer destination, known for its mist-covered mountains, cool climate, and lush greenery. This visual journey focuses on the heritage-rich region’s scenery, traditions, and evolution, with the unique photos featuring a personal edge thanks to the connections the five commissioned artists have with Asir.
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Saudis Abdulmajeed Al-Ruwaidan and Elham Al-Dossary chose their focal points on memory and transformation. Al-Ruwaidan’s Waystations zooms in on the architecture of vintage gas stations, and Al-Dossary’s Fleeting Through Asir mixes modern photography with her dad’s archival images. Meanwhile, Mohamed Mahdy joins fellow Egyptian Lina Geoushy in presenting shots to do with human connections and traditions. When the Land Loves You Back by Mahdy highlights the bond the locals have with their natural surroundings, while Geoushy’s colourful Banat Al Qatt is about the women keeping the traditional, UNESCO-recognised Al-Qatt Al-Asiri artform alive. Additionally, Moroccan Hicham Gardaf captivates with his image of juniper forests in The Road to Juniper.
During the opening, Dina Amin, CEO of the Visual Arts Commission, said the exhibitions have played a role in “empowering artists and preserving the Kingdom’s vast cultural heritage through a contemporary lens”. And as well as stunning imagery that shines a new light on Saudi, both exhibitions have exciting sideline options, including interactive workshops, panel talks by some artists, and community engagement activities, suitable for photographers, as well enthusiasts wanting to amp up their skills.
About the Kingdom Photography Award
Launched in 2022, the Kingdom Photography Award motivates Saudi and international photographers to discover the Kingdom and promote storytelling. The expanding initiative by the Visual Arts Commission, which is propagating an active photographic community and inspiring novelty and cultural thought, has a total prize pool of SAR 400,000. This year's edition saw over 1,300 submissions, which were judged by a panel made up of notable regional and international players in the photography world. While picking the winners, the judges looked at creativity, technical skill, and storytelling.
Hayy Jameel, Jeddah: When the Fog Whispers | In a New Light Exhibitions, until May 25, 2025
Free entry but tickets must be booked ahead of time
Open Sundays to Thursdays from 12pm – 10pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 2pm – 10pm, Close on Tuesdays,
Book your tickets here
hayyjameel.org
@hayyjameel
