Edge of Arabia Jeddah: We Need to Talk, curated by Mohammed Hafiz and co-curated by Edge of Arabia founder Stephen Stapleton, was the most significant show of Saudi contemporary art ever held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

Ranging from video to sculpture to installation, the exhibition featured over 40 new works by Saudi’s emerging contemporary artists, including: Abdulnasser Gharem, Adwa AlMubarak, Ahaad Alamoudi, Ahmed Angawi, Ahmed Mater, Ayman Yossri Daydban, Effat Fadaag, Eyad Maghazel, Hala Ali, Hamza Serafi, Ibrahim Abumsmar, Jowhara AlSaud, Maha Malluh, Manal Al-Dowayan, Mohammed Al Ghamdi, Nasser Al-Salem, Noha Al-Sharif, Saddek Wasil, Saeed Salem, Sami Al-Turki, Sara Al-Abdali and Sarah Abu Abdullah.

To accompany the exhibition, Edge of Arabia delivered an ambitious education programme aimed at engaging local school and university students in contemporary art from across the region. The programme included an art symposium held at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce, a dedicated 100 square metre education room within the exhibition, with workshop, presentation and research facilities for visitors; guided tours of the exhibition and practical workshops with participating artists for local school and university groups; and an internship programme for local students.

Photographs: Alex Maguire