Athr Gallery

Founded by Hamza Serafi and Mohammed Hafiz, Athr Art Gallery is one of the few contemporary Saudi art galleries that has been actively promoting Saudi contemporary art regionally and internationally. Located on the fifth floor of Jeddah's Serafi

Mall, the gallery has recently held exhibitions that have covered diverse themes of spirituality, calligraphy, and pop Arabic art. The gallery has also played host to talks on contemporary Arab art by figures such as Sotheby's specialist Dalya Islam.

The Saudi contemporary artists represented by Athr are established and emerging artists all of whom the gallery has helped launch or strengthen their presence in the art circles through regular exhibitions and participation in international art fairs.

The gallery's artists include (from top left): Lulwah Al Homoud, Ahmed Mater Al Ziad Aseeri, Ayman Yossri Daydban, HRH Reem Al Faisal, Noha Al Sharif, and Bassem Al Sharqi. At Art Dubai 2010, Athr showcased the newest group of artwork by their artists; from the extremley quiet and spiritual sculptural pieces of Noha Al-Sharif standing on a block of marble (similair to those used around the Ka'ba), to the low stools made of natural wooden cylinders surrounded by heavy concrete reflecting the environmnt we live in, by Farouk Kondakji. The artwork in display also featured a new member of Athr Jowhara Al Saud who highlighted themes of censorship and cultural identity. All of the environmental, cultural, and political pieces pulled you in to explore the depths of their meaning.