Tuwaiq Sculpture returned to Riyadh, gathering a diverse group of sculptors from around the world to create monumental artworks that will be permanently integrated into the city’s public spaces. As one of Saudi Arabia’s leading contemporary art initiatives, the symposium fosters cultural exchange, artistic innovation, and public engagement. This year’s edition welcomed both emerging and established artists, offering them a platform to push the boundaries of their craft while shaping Riyadh’s evolving urban identity.
The 2025 edition features Ali Alhamoud, Ali AlMalky, and Ali Altokhais from Saudi Arabia, whose work reflects a deep engagement with local material traditions and contemporary sculptural practices. Ali Alhamoud, known for his distinctive calligraphy-inspired sculptures, blends modern design with traditional Arabic script, transforming stone into poetic visual expressions. Ali AlMalky, an artist renowned for his monumental abstract forms, explores the interplay of scale and elegance, while Ali Altokhais brings decades of expertise in stone carving, producing works that bridge tradition and modernity.
Joining them are sculptors from across the globe, each contributing a unique artistic perspective. Hiroyuki Asakawa (Japan) is celebrated for his organic and fluid stone sculptures, which reflect themes of movement and nature. Reto Steiner (Switzerland) is known for his geometric and architectural approaches, often playing with light and shadow to create dynamic, immersive experiences. Juan Pablo Marturano (Argentina) experiments with material textures and sculptural abstraction, crafting pieces that invite interaction and contemplation.
From Germany, Birgit Cauer brings a deep philosophical engagement with stone, using it as a medium to explore concepts of transformation and resilience. Chuan-Hsien Yeh (Taiwan) integrates delicate patterns and soft traces into hard stone surfaces, challenging perceptions of permanence and impermanence. Dangyong Liu (China) employs traditional and modern sculptural techniques to create works that merge Eastern philosophy with contemporary aesthetics.
Tuwaiq Sculpture 2025 also highlights the contributions of women sculptors, including Anna Teresa Rasinska (Poland) and Anna Sosenskaia (Russia), who explore the poetic potential of form through intricate carvings and bold compositions. Arianna Palmieri (Italy) incorporates organic materials into her marble sculptures, reflecting on the relationship between nature and art. From Saudi Arabia, Bodour Alaqidi and Noha Alsharif contribute contemporary perspectives that bridge heritage and innovation in the country’s growing sculptural scene.
Tuwaiq Sculpture is a live creative laboratory. Over several weeks, the selected artists carved their sculptures in an open-air setting, allowing the public to witness the artistic process firsthand. Visitors observed the transformation of raw materials into finished works, gaining insight into the technical skill, patience, and vision required to produce large-scale public art.
The event also included a robust educational program featuring workshops, artist talks, and panel discussions, where participants engage in conversations about the role of sculpture in contemporary urban spaces. By integrating community involvement, Tuwaiq Sculpture fostered an appreciation for public art and encouraged dialogue between artists and audiences.
Since its inception, Tuwaiq Sculpture has played a pivotal role in shaping Riyadh’s public art identity, contributing to the city’s transformation into an open-air museum. The sculptures produced during the symposium are carefully integrated into public spaces, becoming permanent landmarks that enrich the city’s cultural landscape. This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which emphasises investment in the arts as a key driver of cultural and economic growth.
Through a carefully curated selection of artists, materials, and themes, Tuwaiq Sculpture 2025 continues to expand its legacy, positioning Riyadh as a global hub for contemporary public art. As the sculptures take form, they will serve as testaments to the power of artistic collaboration, the beauty of material craftsmanship, and the enduring impact of creative expression in public spaces.
