Riyadh Art has launched the open call for the 5th edition of Tuwaiq Sculpture

Riyadh Art has issued an open call for the 5th edition of Tuwaiq Sculpture, an annual sculpture symposium that brings together local and international artists to produce public artworks that will eventually become an intrinsic part of Riyadh's urban fabric. Tuwaiq Sculpture offers a broad programme of discussions, seminars, and educational events that engage a variety of groups in addition to the live sculpting process.

Tuwaiq Sculpture has hosted over 90 world-renowned sculptors and thousands of tourists since its start. It is a component of the Riyadh Art public project, which aspires to convert the city into an open-air gallery. More than 1,000 artworks will be placed around Riyadh in neighbourhoods, parks and public places as part of the initiative, raising the city's standing as a top city in the world for sustainability and quality of life, in accordance with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.

The subject 'Dimensions of Movement' for the forthcoming symposium asks artists to sculpt the essence of growth and expansion, reflecting modern society's increasing innovations. This theme depicts the vigour of Riyadh's development and the ambitious push towards innovation and new frontiers, much like a modern tribute to Futurism, an artistic and social movement from the early twentieth century.

More than 1,000 artworks will be placed around Riyadh in neighbourhoods, parks and public places as part of the initiative, raising the city's standing as a top city in the world for sustainability and quality of life, in accordance with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. It invites sculptors to create powerful, awe-inspiring works of art that transcend borders, communicate a sense of speed and power, stretch conceptions of space and time, and symbolise the Saudi spirit of growth and limitless potential.

Following the success of Tuwaiq Sculpture 2023, Marek Wolynski, a specialist in large-scale initiatives and cross-sector alliances, returns as curator for the symposium's forthcoming 5th edition, heading the jury panel of specialists.

The panel included Dr. Fahad Aljebreen, a sculptor and assistant professor at King Saud University, Associate Curator of Tuwaiq Sculpture 2024, Dr. Khulod Albugami, a sculptor and assistant professor at College of Art and Design at Princess Nourah University; Nojoud Alsudairi, co-founder of Syn Architects, an artist and architect whose practice focuses on identities rooted in urban contemporary Saudi culture and Sebastiano Barassi, a curator and art historian, who has held curatorial positions at the Courtauld Gallery, the University of Cambridge, and the Henry Moore Foundation in the UK.

Artists from all over the globe with at least five years of sculpting and exhibiting in outdoor areas and galleries are encouraged to submit suggestions in response to the curatorial subject. A total of 30 local and international artists will be chosen for the symposium, and they will convene in Riyadh for three months of sculpting, in conjunction with a complete public engagement programme that includes workshops, tours, and panel discussions. In addition to the artist fee, the programme covers all expenses, including lodging and return flights for international performers.

Following the completion of the sculptures, they will be shown in an exhibition setting before being permanently installed across the city of Riyadh, contributing to its urban fabric. A public programme will also operate concurrently with the sculpting, involving the local community through school and university visits, workshops, and panel discussions with experts in art, sculpture, and urbanisation. Selected artists will be able to participate to the public programme by sharing their knowledge and expertise with the general audience.

The open call will finish on August 31, 2023, with selected artists being revealed at the end of October. The official website of Riyadh Art contains guidelines, FAQs, and extra information about the application process.