In an impressive display at Art Basel Paris, the AlUla Artist Residency Program made its French debut with “Orbis Tertius,” an exhibition of works from 20 international artists inspired by Saudi Arabia’s historic AlUla. Launched in 2021 by the Royal Commission for AlUla in collaboration with the French Agency for AlUla Development, the residency fosters creative engagement within AlUla’s unique cultural setting. Curated by Arnaud Morand, the exhibit aims to blend ancient traditions with modern artistic narratives, showcasing AlUla as a new artistic nexus.
The exhibition is part of a broader initiative by Arts AlUla to promote the ancient oasis city as a rising art and creativity hub. Known historically for trade and cultural significance, AlUla is home to Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage site, and boasts a storied connection to the Incense Road.
“Orbis Tertius” brings this heritage into focus, presenting diverse mediums that reflect the region’s pre-Islamic heritage and its current creative renaissance.
Artists created their works within the residency’s inspiring settings, including Mabiti AlUla’s palm groves and AlJadidah’s new residence facilities. Morand highlighted the theme “Orbis Tertius, A Journey Between Fictions and Myths” as a response to the area’s evocative mix of legend and reality, aiming to provoke a “dynamic dialogue” among artists, local experts, and residents.
Notable exhibits include Monira Al-Qadiri’s striking aluminum sculpture “The Guardian,” based on the resilient Calotropis Procera plant native to the region. Meanwhile, multidisciplinary artist Anhar Salem’s “A Day in AlUla” showcases local lives, balancing personal narratives with broader cultural reflections. The Gazzaz brothers, co-founders of Bricklab, introduced sustainable construction methods in rammed earth, blending regional materials with AlUla’s layered history. Works by artists like Ayman Zedani and Reem Al-Nasser continue this thoughtful engagement with the area’s natural and anthropological heritage.
The exhibit reinforces AlUla’s role as a bridge for cultural exchange, supporting the vision to create a sustainable, globally recognized creative center. “We are showcasing the extraordinary artistic vision flourishing in AlUla,” said Nora Aldabal, RCU’s executive director, “a place where ancient history meets contemporary art.”