Edge of Arabia

Today we would like to wish our dear friend Ahmed Mater a very happy birthday. Our journey together has been long and rewarding, and we continue to celebrate his triumphant success, notably his most recent retrospective at , “Chronicles”, which opened last week and is on view in London until 22nd August.

“I believe that artists are a reflection of their society: their work often mirrors the social and spiritual changes that are taking place within it.” - Ahmed Mater





       

Yesterday EOA Founder & CEO was in invited to discuss the 20+ year journey of during a three-day seminar ‘Art from the Arab and Islamic Worlds: Innovation and Influence’ hosted by .christies and running concurrently with ’s first solo retrospective ‘Chronicles’

Extracts from speech at reception for at

- “It is 18 years since Ahmed first came to London to present his iconic X-Ray painting at the British Museum, and it is twenty-one years since Ahmed and I met at the Al Meftaha Arts Village in Abha, and a creative collaboration began to take root.”

- “Edge of Arabia, which launched in London 2008, is an expression of UK-Saudi partnership based on creative collaboration and shared values. It has always been about nurturing talent, finding ways to bring the best of Saudi contemporary art to a wider audience. Since its first exhibition at the Brunei Gallery, EoA has welcomed over 3.5 million people to over 50 exhibitions and events around the world including my own participation at The Smithsonian Institute, Brooklyn Museum and the Venice Biennale. Many things have been achieved, but it would be a mistake only to look back. We must continue to build on the foundations of this strong relationship and not allow the ehorts of the past 20 years to dissipate.”

- “It was always our dream that this collaboration might bring the arts from the edge of the relationship between our two kingdoms to its centre. That the arts might become a new pillar of a century-old relationship dominated by energy and security. Edge of Arabia remains totally committed to the development of that mission.“

Yesterday proudly hosted a reception honouring the esteemed artist in the gracious presence of HRH Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud following the opening of Ahmed’s first solo retrospective at London, Ahmed Mater: Chronicles, on view until the 22nd of August.

An epic time at skate party back in November

Swipe to spot 🔎 the colourful artistic designs by for the x collaboration

Swipe ➡️ explore the captivating creations of , a talented artist based in Beirut 🇱🇧

Nisrine doesn't just create art; she translates meaningful messages into her designs, seamlessly blending ancient tales with a modern touch 💡 Each piece is a meaningful expression that resonates with the essence of

1. لا داعي للهلع - No need to panic
A sarcastic response to a prominent figure in power in Lebanon who urged the public not to panic just days before the onset of the economic collapse.
2. تحب أحبك حبة حن أحب من حب الأحباب
Words from a famous Lebanese song, that show the richness and beauty of the Arabic language.
3. فكر بالفرح تفرح - Think of joy and you'll be joyful
For the joy of lettering.

# TypographyDesign

Meet , a talented young graphic artist hailing from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦

Bayan earned her Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design from Dar AlHekma University in 2015. Her creations integrate thought-provoking themes including feminism, religion, and societal transition into unique artworks that bridge past, present and future. 🎨✨

تعرف على ، فنانة جرافيك شابة موهوبة من جدة، المملكة العربية السعودية 🇸🇦

حصلت بيان على درجة البكالوريوس في التصميم الجرافيكي من جامعة دار الحكمة في عام 2015. تدمج إبداعاتها موضوعات مثيرة للتفكير مثل النسوية والدين والتحول المجتمعي في أعمال فنية فريدة تربط بين الماضي والحاضر والمستقبل. 🎨✨

🔶 Recap of x collaboration designed by the amazing ➡️ Swipe Left to see T-shirts, notebooks and tote bags.

Inspired by the vibrant colours of the world’s largest Light Art Festival - all were distributed exclusively to guests! 🔥🔦✨

🎉 Celebrating the kaleidoscope of cross-cultural collaboration at the inaugural (Nov 15 - Dec 6, 2023). Swipe left to immerse yourself in the infectious energy that painted a story of global street art culture on the walls of an abandoned Ministry building in Riyadh.

A heartfelt thank you to the curators, artists and production team that made so unforgettable. Your passion for ‘art of the people’ colours our world 🟢🟠🔵🔴🟤🟡🟣⚫️ and were proud to be part of it.

RSH was presented by and curated by &

🎨✨ A glimpse behind the scenes at RSH Street Art Festival! Official festival poster / print designed by EOA Art Director and

Cover photo shows RSH curator with RSH artist featured in the print: at the framers in Riyadh! Each signed print celebrates the cross-cultural spirit of Saudi’s largest Street Art Festival. 🇸🇦✒️

Archival Giclee print on 330gsm, 100% cotton, acid free paper. Each print spot glazed and hand foiled in white. 70x 50 cm. Edition of 5 signed and dated by the artist.

Published by EOA Press in celebration of the inaugural (Nov 15 - Dec 6, 2023).

Riyadh, Desert Moon | الرياض، قمر الصحراء by [2023]

collaboration with - Archival Giclee print on 330gsm, 100% cotton, acid-free paper. Each print embossed, spot glazed and hand-foiled in metallic blue. 70x50 cm. Edition of 500 signed and dated by the artist.

Published by EOA Press in celebration of the 3rd edition of Noor Riyadh Festival, “The Bright Side of the Desert Moon” (Nov 30 - Dec 16, 2023).

➡️ [b. 1992, Riyadh, KSA]

kLDPXL is a self-taught artist reimagining landscape painting through vivid pixelated compositions. Having studied Astronomy at Northern Arizona University he shifted gears to pursue art in 2016. Using a drawing tablet and a mouse, KLDPXL creates atmospheric digital paintings which evoke a generational nostalgia for urban Arab culture, drawing inspiration from video games, Saudi street-life, and global cityscapes. Blending reality and imagination, he invites us to experience his vision of fictional places inspired by the poetic isolation of an increasingly digital world.

🌍 debuted his art beyond social media at the curated exhibition at .studio in 2022, and went on to make his mark with noteworthy collaborations including: