Published: March 11, 2025 / Updated undefined ago

Tuwaiq Sculpture Celebrates Global Diversity and Creative Dialogue

The sixth edition of Tuwaiq Sculpture showcased a diverse range of creative expressions, bringing together 30 sculptors from around the world. This year’s edition explored the intersection of heritage, innovation, and cultural dialogue, featuring sculptures that bridged timeless themes with contemporary ideas. Visitors witnessed the transformation of raw stone into striking works of art during the live sculpting phase, while the exhibition provided a closer look at the completed works, offering deeper insight into their creative journeys.

Author: Riyadh Art

Among the showcased sculptures, three Saudi and three international artists stood out for their compelling creations, each reflecting unique perspectives on cultural heritage, personal experiences, and universal themes.

A modern abstract sculpture made of stone, featuring two large, smooth, rounded forms connected by rectangular blocks. The sculpture is set outdoors on a stone base, surrounded by grass and trees, suggesting it is part of a public art installation in a park or garden setting. The natural backdrop enhances the sculpture's aesthetic, highlighting the contrast between the organic environment and the geometric, polished artwork. — Elevation by Mohamed Elsayad (submitted 2023)

Saudi artists: Bridging heritage and vision

Rawan AlShehri – Spontaneity
Rawan AlShehri’s Spontaneity captures the beauty in imperfection and transformation. Shifting from pentagon to triangle, the sculpture reflects the artist’s exploration of complexity and simplicity, celebrating creativity as a fluid and evolving process. AlShehri’s work explores that perfection is nothing but an illusion, inviting the audience to embrace diversity and difference.

Noha AlSharif – Sanam
Noha AlSharif’s Sanam draws on the artist’s ongoing scientific, cultural, archaeological and, naturally, artistic exploration. The word ‘sanam’ carries many meanings that refer to the summit or peak, with AlSharif inspired by life’s peaks which symbolize strength and achievement. The camel’s hump in the sculpture evokes resilience, resonating with Saudi Arabia’s cultural identity and the artist’s personal journey of success.

Ebtesam Saleh – Anan
In Anan, Ebtesam Saleh explores Riyadh’s evolution from its natural roots to architectural innovation. Flowing lines inspired by palm trees transform into intricate designs, embodying a balance between heritage and progress that reflects urban renaissance. The internal spaces play on contrasts between light and shadow, inviting reflection on the connection between past and future.

A large, abstract stone sculpture situated outdoors on a grassy area. The sculpture features a unique design with a hollow center and curved, textured surfaces. It is surrounded by greenery, including trees and bushes, and there is a stone wall in the background. The setting appears to be a garden or park, providing a natural backdrop to the artistic piece. — I am beginning to see the light by Stefan Esterbauer (submitted 2023)

International artists: Exploring universal themes

Vankhade Sangam (India) – Eternal Continuum

Sangam’s Eternal Continuum used a sand clock motif to bridge past and present. Stairs within the sculpture symbolized the ascent of civilizations, while the arch referenced shared architectural narratives between India and Riyadh. The piece captured a sense of continuity and endurance, reflecting the resilience of cultural heritage.

Susana Botana (Spain) – Balance

In Balance, Botana presented a fragmented totem representing the complexities of modern life. Inspired by the omphalos—an ancient symbol of creation—the piece explored renewal through its interplay of air and stone. The sculpture suggested transformation and the possibility of a new future, evoking a sense of hope in uncertain times.

Reto Steiner (Switzerland) – Turbulent Past

Steiner reimagined the traditional column in Turbulent Past, bending it into a fluid form that challenged conventional notions of stability. The two columns appeared flexible rather than rigid, questioning historical interpretations of pillars as symbols of permanence. This piece examined resilience and change, prompting viewers to reflect on history’s impact and the potential for transformation.

The image shows a public art installation featuring two large, intricately designed cubes with a maze-like pattern on their surfaces. These cubes are positioned on a pedestal in an outdoor setting, surrounded by grass and trees, suggesting a park or garden environment. The artwork appears to be a modern sculpture, emphasizing geometric shapes and complex patterns. — Catharsis - not just eternity, but infinity by Ana Maris Nagara (submitted 2021)

A wider canvas for global talent

Tuwaiq Sculpture 2025 also highlighted other remarkable works, including:

Petre Borissov Petrov – The Movement – A reflection on process and progress.
Obai AlHattoom – Elements Union – Symbolizing unity across natural and societal dimensions.
Khalid Farhan – Sculpture Dynamics – Exploring the harmony within life’s rhythms.
Khaled Zaki – The Gift Box – Intertwining resilience and societal change.
Jacob Lucius Cartwright – Memory Palace – A meditation on the architecture of memory.

International contributions, such as Anna Teresa Rasinska’s Periodicity, Birgit Cauer’s Granite Blooming in the Brightness of Now, and Dangyong Liu’s Happiness in the Palm, further explored universal themes of growth, fulfillment, and connection.

A modern sculpture situated in a park-like setting. The sculpture is made of stone and features an abstract, circular design with smooth, flowing curves. It is placed on a pedestal and surrounded by grass and trees, suggesting a serene and natural environment. The artwork appears to be a contemporary piece, blending artistic expression with the tranquility of nature. — Rainbow by Nando Alvarez (submitted 2021)

A lasting legacy

Beyond its duration, Tuwaiq Sculpture leaves a lasting mark on Riyadh’s urban landscape. Sculptures created during the program will become part of Riyadh Art’s permanent collection, enriching public spaces with works that reflect the city’s evolving cultural identity. These installations establish a tangible connection to creativity, inspiring future generations and engaging communities with art in their daily lives.

Tuwaiq Sculpture 2025 celebrated creative diversity while reinforcing the role of public art in fostering cultural dialogue. By transforming Riyadh’s cityscape with these monumental works, the event highlighted the significance of artistic expression in shaping the city’s visual identity.

As each edition expands Riyadh’s creative landscape, Tuwaiq Sculpture continues to solidify its place as a cornerstone of cultural programming, ensuring that public art remains an integral part of the city’s future.