EDGE OF ARABIA JEDDAH: WE NEED TO TALK
January 20 2012 - February 26 2012
AL FURUSIYA MARINA, CORNICHE ROAD, JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA

EDGE OF ARABIA JEDDAH: We Need to Talk
Following its recent success with the first Pan-­‐Arab exhibition of contemporary art ‘The
Future of a Promise’ at the 54th Venice Biennale, on 19th January 2012 the
internationally renowned arts initiative Edge of Arabia, with support from Abdul Latif
Jameel Community Initiatives and Abraaj Capital, launched the most significant show of Saudi
contemporary art ever held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Edge of Arabia Jeddah: We Need to Talk,
curated by Mohammed Hafiz and co-­‐curated by Edge of Arabia founder Stephen Stapleton, opened in a
stunning 1000 square meter space in the Al Furusia Marina, a magnificent new development on the
Jeddah Corniche overlooking the Red Sea.

Ranging from video to sculpture to installation, the exhibition features 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.

Curator Mohammed A. Hafiz says: “This exhibition is a true homecoming for Edge of Arabia
and is geared towards encouraging constructive discussion and dialogue between Saudi contemporary
artists and the local community. All participating artists have reacted to our title ‘We Need
to Talk’ within three categories: the Past, the Present, and the Future. This is a great
opportunity for us all to think about how we can positively shape and influence the world around
us.”

To accompany the exhibition, Edge of Arabia has delivered an ambitious education programme
aimed at engaging local school and university students in contemporary art from across the
region. The programme includes an art symposium held at the Chamber of Commerce in Jeddah, a
dedicated 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.

EDGE OF ARABIA JEDDAH: We Need to Talk
Location: Al Furusia Mall & Marina, Al Corniche Road, Jeddah Curator: Mohammed A. Hafiz //
Co-­‐Curator: Stephen Stapleton
Exhibition dates: 20th January – 18th February 2012, Saturday -­‐ Thursday: 12–11pm.
Admission Free.
ART SYMPOSIUM
Location: Chamber of Commerce, Jeddah
Date: 18th January 2012, 3.30pm. Admission Free.
For all press enquiries please contact:
International: Klara M. Piza, [email protected], +41 765 164 924
KSA and Gulf: Rania Kfoury, Image Nation, rania@image-­‐nation.ae, +97 150 882 7732
EXHIBITION PARTNERS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Curator: Mohammed Hafiz
Born in 1975. Lives in Jeddah. Co-­‐Founder and Director of Athr Gallery.
Founded Athr Gallery in 2008, one of the first contemporary art galleries in Saudi Arabia dedicated
to providing a platform for art from Saudi Arabia and the wider Arab world. A keen collector and
art patron, Mohammed is engaged with a number of initiatives to promote art from Saudi
Arabia, such as Edge of Arabia, and The Crossway Foundation.

Co-­‐Curator: Stephen Stapleton
Born in 1976. Lives between London, Istanbul and Jeddah.
Artist, Teacher, Curator, Founding Director of Edge of Arabia, EOA Projects, Offscreen Expeditions
and The Crossway Foundation. Founded the arts initiative Edge of Arabia while travelling as an
artist across the Middle East in 2003. Since then he has developed a number of creative platforms
for education and collaboration between the Arab and Western world. Recently produced the
first Pan-­‐Arab exhibition at the Venice Biennale The Future of A Promise, as well as Edge of
Arabia exhibitions in Dubai (Terminal), Istanbul (Transition), Berlin (Grey Borders/Grey
Frontiers), Riyadh, Jeddah and London. Has published a number of books in collaboration with
Edward Booth-­‐Clibborn including: Offscreen: Four Young Artists in the Middle East (2004), Ahmed
Mater (2010), Abdulnasser Gharem: Art of Survival (2011), Edge of Arabia: Contemporary Art from
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (2012).

EDGE OF ARABIA
Edge of Arabia is an independent arts initiative developing the appreciation of contemporary Arab
art and culture with a particular focus on Saudi Arabia. As a social enterprise Edge of
Arabia is committed to reaching new audiences and improving understanding through touring,
non-­‐commercial & free exhibitions, through publications, and through education
programs targeting schools & universities. Following its launch in London in 2008, this
grassroots initiative has travelled to Riyadh, Berlin, Istanbul, Dubai and most recently
Venice, where it presented the first pan-­‐Arab exhibition at the 54th Venice Biennale:
The Future of a Promise. In 2012, Edge of Arabia will travel to Jeddah, London and Beirut before
embarking on a tour of the US from 2013. www.edgeofarabia.com

FOUNDING SPONSOR: ABDUL LATIF JAMEEL COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
ALJ Community Initiatives was established in 2003 as the corporate social
responsibility programs provider under the prominent ALJ Group. It has global coverage
and through its many initiatives and social programmes ALJ Community Initiatives have
developed and promoted a portfolio of globally applicable sustainable projects and
solutions, supported socio-­‐economic development by providing social programs for the needs of
communities, and brought about a reduction of unemployment and poverty through novel and
innovative schemes and mechanisms. www.aljci.com

PRINCIPAL PATRON: ABRAAJ CAPITAL
Abraaj Capital is a leading private equity manager investing in the rapidly growing
economies of the Middle East, Africa, Turkey and Asia. Since its inception in 2002, Abraaj
Capital has raised close to US$7 billion and distributed almost US$3 billion to its investors.
Abraaj Capital implements a widely recognized stakeholder engagement strategy positively
impacting economic, cultural and social welfare across a number of countries, industries and
sectors. www.abraaj.com
The Abraaj Capital Art Prize was founded in 2008. Annually it rewards artists from the MENASA
on the basis of a proposal rather than completed works-­‐of-­‐art. The aim of the prize is to
reflect Abraaj Capital’s dedication to empowering potential in the region, giving talented
artists the opportunity to break new ground and showcase the rich artistic and cultural
heritage of the MENASA. Applications are open from
15th December 2011 for artists and curators to apply for the 2013 edition.
www.abraajcapitalartprize.com

KINDLY SUPPORTED BY: CHRISTIE’S
Christie’s is the leading auction house in the Middle East. In 2005, Christie’s became the first
international auction house to open an office in the region and the first auctioneer
to hold regular sales in Dubai, providing an international platform for artists of
the region. In 2010, Christie’s appointed Hayat Shobokshi as Christie’s representative in
Saudi Arabia. In April 2011, Christie’s Dubai facilitated the sale of six donated artworks from
a group of Saudi contemporary artists for a record high totaling over $1 million, the
proceeds of which were donated to the Edge of Arabia education programme targeting Saudi
Arabian schools and universities. www.christies.com