The open call for Tuwaiq Sculpture 2024 is now live. Applications will close on September 10, 2023.
Applications are open to artists from around the world who have at least five years of experience in sculpting and exhibiting in outdoor spaces and galleries. Artists are invited to send their proposals in response to the curatorial theme ‘Dimensions of Movement‘.
Following a rigorous review process, 30 local and international sculptors will be invited to participate in the symposium, where they will create large scale sculptures in a live setting, made from Saudi-sourced granite of three different colors.
Participating artists will be invited to stay in Riyadh throughout the creation period, with materials, tools and assistants being provided to them. In addition to an artist fee, the program offers all expenses, including accommodation as well as return flights for international artists.
Further details about participating in Tuwaiq Sculpture are in the Artist Open Call Invitation document, which can be found in the Related Links section on this page.
To apply please complete the application form at the bottom of this page.
Tuwaiq Sculpture 2024 will take place from January to February in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Dimensions of Movement
The theme ‘Dimensions of Movement’ invites artists to sculpt the essence of progress and expansion, reflecting the accelerating advancements of modern society. Like a contemporary tribute to Futurism, an artistic and social movement at the early 20th century, this theme captures the vitality of Riyadh’s transformation and the ambitious drive towards innovation and new horizons. It beckons sculptors to craft bold, awe-inspiring artworks that transcend boundaries, convey a sense of speed and power, expand perceptions of space and time, and embody the Saudi spirit of progress and boundless potential.
Following the success of Tuwaiq Sculpture 2023, Marek Wolynski, a specialist in large-scale projects and cross-sector partnerships, returns as curator for the upcoming symposium, leading the jury panel of experts that include Dr. Khulod Albugami, a sculptor and academic; Nojoud Alsudairi, Cofounder of Syn Architects, an artist and architect whose practice focuses on identities rooted in urban contemporary Saudi culture; Dr. Fahad Aljebreen, a sculptor and Assistant Professor at King Saud University, Associate Curator of Tuwaiq Sculpture 2024; 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.
Tuwaiq Sculpture
Tuwaiq Sculpture is an annual sculpture symposium that brings local and international artists together to create public artworks in a live setting. Through an interactive program of workshops, school visits, and talks, Tuwaiq Sculpture engages diverse communities and bolsters cultural exchanges. The symposium culminates in an on-site exhibition, with the sculptures enriching the Riyadh Art collection and later becoming a permanent feature of the Saudi capital’s urban fabric.
Tuwaiq Sculpture is a platform where local and international artists meet, collaborate, and create large-scale public artworks in a live setting. The open format of the symposium allows the public to observe the creative process, participate in interactive workshops, and discuss the history and future of public art, effectively contributing to the enrichment of the cultural scene in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Since its inception, Tuwaiq Sculpture has engaged with over 90 world-renowned sculptors and thousands of visitors. It is an integral part of the Riyadh Art public initiative, which aims to transform the city into a gallery without walls. Through the project, more than 1,000 artworks will be displayed across Riyadh, in neighborhoods, parks, and public spaces, elevating its status as a top city in the world for sustainability and quality of life, in line with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.