A new exhibition at Hafez Gallery explores memory, identity and belonging through the works of three influential Arab artists from different generations and backgrounds.
The vibrant art scene of Jeddah welcomes a remarkable cultural encounter this summer with “Between Mist and Meridian,” a group exhibition bringing together three generations of Arab artistic voices at Hafez Gallery’s Al-Rawdah space in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Running from June 30 to August 1, 2026, the exhibition presents works by Yemeni artist Hakim Al-Akel, the late Saudi artist Abdelsattar Al-Mussa, and Kuwaiti artist Thuraya Al-Baqsami, creating a visual conversation around themes of memory, identity, place and belonging.
Rather than simply displaying individual artworks, the exhibition explores how personal experiences and cultural histories become part of a wider Arab narrative. Through painting, photography and visual storytelling, the three artists reveal different perspectives on heritage, human experience and the relationship between people and the places they call home.
A Meeting of Three Artistic Generations
According to Qaswra Hafez, founder of Hafez Gallery, the exhibition reflects the gallery’s mission to support and promote modern and contemporary Arab art by creating exhibitions that encourage deeper conversations around the region’s artistic heritage.
The three artists share an interesting connection: they all studied at the Moscow State Academic Art Institute, yet each developed a unique artistic language shaped by their own memories, environments and cultural backgrounds.
Their works demonstrate how artists can transform personal stories into universal themes, creating a dialogue that crosses generations and geographical borders.
Thuraya Al-Baqsami: Women, Memory and Freedom
Kuwaiti artist Thuraya Al-Baqsami places the female figure at the centre of her artistic practice. For her, women represent multiple layers of meaning, including motherhood, land, resilience and identity.
Her artworks often explore women’s rights, freedom of expression and social experiences, combining personal memories with wider cultural questions.
Drawing inspiration from her childhood memories in Kuwait and Gulf traditions, Al-Baqsami transforms everyday experiences into symbolic visual stories. Her work connects folklore and heritage with contemporary conversations about women and society.
Beyond painting, she is also a writer, using both literature and visual art as tools for storytelling.
Hakim Al-Akel: When Places Become Memories
For Yemeni artist Hakim Al-Akel, landscapes are not simply physical spaces; they carry emotions, myths and memories.
The artist explains that his relationship with place has changed throughout his career. While he once focused on painting landscapes directly, he now explores how places influence and shape him.
His works combine observation, imagination and folklore, creating scenes where nature becomes connected with human emotions.
Al-Akel describes art as a continuous river flowing through generations, where artists may change but the fundamental questions about identity, existence and belonging remain.
Abdelsattar Al-Mussa: Preserving Everyday Life Through Images
The late artist Abdelsattar Al-Mussa is represented in the exhibition through a selection of black-and-white works from the 1980s.
His pieces capture moments of everyday life with quiet sensitivity, preserving memories of people, places and social environments.
These archival works add another layer to the exhibition, creating a connection between past and present and showing how images can become historical documents that preserve collective memory.
A Celebration of Arab Artistic Heritage
“Between Mist and Meridian” highlights the strength and diversity of modern Arab art, showing how different generations continue to explore similar questions:
Who are we? Where do we belong? How do memories shape our identity?
By bringing together three artists with different backgrounds and artistic approaches, Hafez Gallery creates a space where history, culture and contemporary creativity meet.
The exhibition reinforces Jeddah’s growing role as a regional cultural hub, where museums, galleries and creative spaces continue to expand the conversation around Arab art.
