Why Hafez Gallery Is the Beating Heart of Saudi Arabia’s Art Scene

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_{When people talk about contemporary art in the Middle East, Hafez Gallery always seems to come up, and for good reason. Even if you’ve never set foot in Jeddah or Riyadh, chances are you've heard of the gallery that keeps redefining what it means to support, showcase, and celebrate art from the region. It’s more than a space. It’s a statement.}

_{Let’s dive into why Hafez Gallery isn’t just one of the most exciting places to see art in Saudi Arabia, but one of the most important platforms for emerging and established voices across the Arab world.}

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A Field of Lilies and Layers of Meaning

_{One of the recent exhibitions that captured our attention was The White Lilies of Marrakech by Lebanese artist Lana Khayat. This show was nothing short of poetic. Lana doesn’t just paint. She writes history in abstraction, merging Tifinagh, Arabic calligraphy, and personal symbology to tell stories of identity, resilience, and transformation.}

_{At the heart of her exhibition is the lily. Not just painted, but physically present. Dozens of fresh blooms rested on a vibrant blue pedestal, turning the gallery into a living installation of fragrance and symbolism. It wasn’t just art. It was an experience.}

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Mastery in Motion: Ahmed Nawar’s THE WILL

_{From softness to structure, Hafez Gallery also recently hosted THE WILL by Egyptian art titan Ahmed Nawar. The exhibition was a journey through decades, showing how his drawing practice, which began in the 1960s, continues to evolve. For Nawar, drawing isn’t a step in the process. It is the soul of the process. His work reminds us that simplicity, when done right, is a force of its own.}

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Palm Leaves and Red Threads

_{Saudi artist Lina Gazzaz brought her unique vision to life in Tracing Line of Growth, using palm leaves as both canvas and concept. Adorned with delicate red threads, the leaves became time capsules, embodying growth, change, and the beauty of the handmade. Lina's work turned the ordinary into something almost sacred, a quiet, thoughtful meditation on the passage of time.}

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Memory as Architecture: Bashaer Hawsawi

_{And then there was Homes of Memory, a powerful show by Saudi artist Bashaer Hawsawi, that felt like walking through a dream filled with echoes. Her work is rooted in belonging and identity, evoking personal and collective histories. It’s the kind of art that follows you long after you leave.}

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A Bold Statement at Art Dubai

_{At Art Dubai this year, Hafez Gallery didn’t just show up. They made a statement. In the Contemporary section, they presented a solo booth by Egyptian painter Ibrahim El Dessouki, whose oil paintings explored everything from layered textures to scraped-away surfaces. Each canvas walked the line between precision and abstraction.}

_{Meanwhile, their Digital booth pushed boundaries even further, showing how rooted traditions can leap into the future through innovative new formats.}

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Not Just a Gallery, A Mission

_{Since its founding in 2014 by Qaswra Hafez, the gallery has been on a mission. The goal is simple but powerful: to shine a light on the Saudi art scene and empower local talent. That’s not a tagline. It’s a promise they live up to, exhibition after exhibition. Whether it’s collaborating with Sotheby’s in London or carving out space for regional talent at home, Hafez Gallery is about art with intention.}

_{Their curatorial choices feel deliberate and urgent. You never leave a Hafez show thinking, “That was nice.” You leave thinking, “That meant something.”}

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Planning a Visit?

_{Here’s where to find them:}

_{In Jeddah
The gallery is located on the 3rd floor at Bougainvillea.}

_{In Riyadh
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_{Visit them in the JAX District. Just hop on a golf cart and ask to be dropped off at H19.}