DUBAI: The 17th edition of Abu Dhabi Art began on Nov. 19 and runs until Nov. 23. Jeddah-based Hafez Gallery is participating with a presentation that reflects both the richness of Saudi Arabia’s artistic landscape and the evolving conversation around heritage within contemporary practice for the event. 

“Visitors to (our booth) will encounter three distinctive Saudi artists: Sami Al-Marzoogi, Raeda Ashour, and Sarah Al-Abdali,” the gallery’s founder Qaswra Hafez told Arab News ahead of the event, explaining that each of the three artists is connected by an interest in place, memory and the continuous reshaping of tradition.  

“Expect to engage with evocative explorations of color and form, Hejazi cultural landscapes, and reimagined Islamic ornamentation, ranging from meditative ink works to richly layered narratives and embossed surfaces,” he continued. 

The gallery’s presentation rests on the idea that heritage evolves from generation to generation.  

“(It) explores how tradition is not static, but a living resource,” Hafez said. “Each of the three artists offers a unique perspective, transforming color and form, reinventing memory, and reinterpreting cultural ornament, anchoring the show in both regional heritage and global contemporary dialogue.” 

Selecting the artists for the fair required a curatorial approach that balanced individual voices with a broader narrative about Saudi creativity today. For Hafez Gallery, this meant identifying artists who are “committed to heritage as something dynamic,” Hafez explained. “Their distinct voices highlight the breadth of Saudi contemporary practice and illustrate how the region’s artists contribute meaningful perspectives to the international conversation on modernization and identity. 

“Look for Al-Marzoogi's thoughtful ink and acrylic works, which balance abstraction with emotional depth,” he continued. His pieces have a meditative quality, each mark carrying a sense of internal rhythm and contemplation.  

Al-Abdali’s works in charcoal and gouache — particularly “Mazen Al-Hamada” and “Shades of Decay” — “weave memory and cultural narrative” through layered, intimate reflections on place and loss.  

Meanwhile, Ashour’s meticulously crafted series of hand-embossed gold-leaf works, where “historic motifs meet serene abstraction,” create surfaces that shimmer with both history and innovation. 

Placing these artists on an international platform like Abu Dhabi Art is significant for Hafez Gallery, especially as the Gulf’s cultural landscape continues to expand.  

“Abu Dhabi Art is a vital platform,” Hafez said. “It brings together artists, collectors, and institutions, supports real cultural exchange, and helps Gulf artists present the region’s diversity to the world, challenging old narratives and building new formats.” 

However, representing Saudi art on an international stage comes with both opportunities and challenges.  

“Our artists offer new perspectives on identity and heritage, countering stereotypes,” he said. “The challenge lies in helping other audiences appreciate this depth, but the opportunity is to ensure Saudi voices are heard as central in today’s wider art conversation.”