Where movement meets meaning—Riyadh’s metro system becomes a citywide gallery of global creativity.

Riyadh is redefining the everyday commute through a bold and visionary public art initiative. As part of Riyadh Art’s public art initiatives—one of the Kingdom’s four Mega Projects under Saudi Vision 2030—the city’s metro stations are being transformed into permanent showcases for world-class artworks. This civic art initiative aims to enrich lives, ignite creative expression, and build a new cultural economy by integrating public art into the very infrastructure of daily life.

Art is no longer confined to galleries. As public-facing venues for the installation of Riyadh Art’s permanent collection, Riyadh’s metro stations are becoming dynamic cultural spaces, inviting residents and visitors to engage with meaningful artworks at every step of their journey.

Artworks transforming the metro experience

These masterpieces enrich the urban landscape, offering a unique way to blend art with daily life. With other artworks now relocated to their permanent homes,

At the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) Metro Station, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects:

• Janey Waney by Alexander Calder: A vibrant, kinetic sculpture that captures Calder’s playful energy and invites commuters to engage with movement, color, and form.
• LOVE (Red Outside Blue Inside) by Robert Indiana: A globally celebrated symbol of connection and positivity, its bold presence brings a message of unity into Riyadh’s fast-paced urban core.

At Qasr Al Hokm Metro Station, designed by Snøhetta:

• When the Moon is Full by Zaman Jassim: This contemplative piece draws on celestial and cultural symbolism to honor Saudi heritage, adding poetic depth to one of the city’s oldest districts.

At Olaya Metro Station:

• Untitled by Joel Shapiro: This dynamic sculpture explores themes of light, time, and the human experience. Known for challenging the boundaries of modern sculpture, Shapiro infuses abstract forms with striking energy. 

A Vision Beyond the Commute

Riyadh Art’s permanent collection is designed to bring public art to metro stations and across the broader transport network. It reflects a larger vision of transforming Riyadh into a global cultural capital, where public spaces are catalysts for creative exchange and urban beauty.

From metro stations to parks, bridges, neighborhoods, and civic squares, Riyadh Art weaves creativity into the city’s rhythm—inviting everyone to participate in the capital’s culture.