As the global art world turns its attention to the Gulf, Saudi Arabia is doing something deeply intentional: it is looking inward, revisiting its Modern art roots to shape what comes next.

While new fairs such as Art Basel Qatar and Frieze Abu Dhabi signal the region’s growing international influence, the Kingdom is reminding the world that its creative story did not begin yesterday. Instead of chasing trends, Saudi Arabia is reclaiming the legacy of its pioneering artists — those who laid the foundations for a visual language that continues to define the region today.

At the heart of this cultural reflection is National Museum of Saudi Arabia, where the landmark exhibition Beginnings of the Saudi Art Movement is on view. Spanning works from the 1960s to the 1980s, the show highlights a time of transformation, experimentation, and new freedoms. More than paintings and sculptures, these works capture a moment when Saudi artists first stepped into global conversations.

This rediscovery is not simply nostalgic — it is strategic. Through the Visual Arts Commission, Saudi Arabia is documenting, archiving, and preserving its Modern masters, ensuring their stories are recorded for future generations. Catalogues, documentaries, and national archives are now part of the process, signaling a long-term cultural vision.

Among the pioneers, female artists played a defining role. Their courage challenged traditions, opening doors for creative expression in spaces where art was once limited. Their work continues to inspire a new generation of Saudi women to shape the future through culture, education, and innovation.

Beyond Riyadh, the movement extends to the ancient landscape of AlUla. Once a crossroads of civilizations, the city has re-emerged as a cultural beacon. Through major initiatives such as Desert X and large-scale public installations, Saudi Modernism is being reintroduced to the world — not as history, but as living legacy.

The market is following this institutional momentum. Saudi Modern artworks are now achieving record-breaking prices at international auctions, signaling a shift in how collectors view the region. What was once overlooked is now recognized as essential to the story of global Modern art.

Saudi Arabia’s cultural transformation is not about erasing the past — it is about honouring it. By looking back, the Kingdom is building a stronger, more authentic future — one where memory, identity, and creativity walk side by side.