Driving tourism through art in Riyadh

Riyadh is appealing to sculptors to create pieces for its streets as the Saudi capital looks to drive tourism through art

The completed works will be exhibited at the Tuwaiq International Sculpture Symposium (TISS), run by Riyadh Art at the end of the event between 2 and 6 December, 2021.

International and Saudi sculptors must have at least five years’ experience before applying to join the event that runs for 22 days in total.

The theme for TISS 2021 is The Poetics of Space, looking at the relationships between matter, emptiness, light and shadow.

TISS is inviting artists to create sculptures that “manifest poetry in motion and create their own space, while being in harmony with the surrounding public realm” of JAX District, Al Diriyah.

A final list of 20 artists will be curated by Iraqi-born painter, sculptor and designer Ali Jabbar and an expert panel.

Riyadh Art aims to bring art to neighbourhoods, gardens and parks, public squares and areas.

There will also be 12 talks and discussions by artists and practitioners as part of a showcase of top sculptors. Each one will explore the connections between the different forms of sculpting.

Sculptors can apply here.