Ithra Opens Art Exhibition Highlighting Arab Women Artists

The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, also known as Ithra, inaugurated the art exhibition “Horizon in Their Hands: Women Artists from the Arab World” at the Ithra Museum on Thursday. The exhibition features pioneering contemporary works from 50 leading women artists across the Arab world. It offers a rare opportunity to explore the rich contributions of women artists who helped shape modern Arab art. The exhibition will run until February 14, 2026.

Celebrating Artists Who Shaped Arab Modern Art

The exhibition presents a wide variety of works by women who were active from the 1960s to the 1980s, a period that transformed the cultural and visual landscape of the region. These artists not only broke barriers in their time but also left a lasting mark on the Arab art movement, influencing generations to come. Visitors can witness how these creative pioneers blended tradition and innovation in their work.

Ithra’s Vision: Preserving Heritage and Inspiring Dialogue

Farah Abushullaih, Head of the Ithra Museum, explained that the exhibition reflects Ithra’s mission to build a cultural ecosystem that preserves heritage, amplifies diverse voices, and encourages dialogue between the past, present, and future. She highlighted that the collaboration with the Barjeel Art Foundation is an important step in bringing attention to underrepresented narratives in Arab art history.

Iconic Artists Featured in the Exhibition

The exhibition includes works by Saudi pioneer Safeya Binzagr (1940–2024), one of the first Saudi women to hold a solo exhibition in the Kingdom, and Mounirah Mosly (1954–2019), known for her unique use of copper, palm fibers, paper, and papyrus. Egyptian artist Inji Efflatoun (1924–1989) is represented with her painting Ezba, exploring themes of freedom, while Moroccan artist Chaibia Talal (1929–2004) and Palestinian-born Vera Tamari (b. 1945) bring themes of memory, homeland, and vibrant color to the display. Egyptian-German artist Susan Hefuna (b. 1962) contributes multi-media works reflecting identity, urban life, and cultural hybridity.

Early Modernists and Contemporary Voices

The exhibition also honors early modernist figures such as Egyptian painter Zeinab Abd El Hamid (1919–2002) and Tunisian tapestry artist Safia Farhat (1924–2004). Alongside them are contemporary voices like Bahraini artist Mariam Al Fakhro (b. 1952) and Kuwaiti artist Suad Al-Essa (b. 1943), creating a dialogue across generations and styles.

Ithra as a Cultural Platform

By hosting this exhibition, Ithra reaffirms its role as a platform that celebrates diverse artistic expressions from local and global contexts. Through interactive exhibitions, galleries, and temporary showcases, the center brings together multiple cultures under one roof, creating a rich experience for visitors and promoting understanding of the Arab world’s artistic heritage.