Summary

Born from a chance encounter in 2003 between British artist, Stephen Stapleton, and Saudi artists at the Al Meftaha Arts Village in Abha, Edge of Arabia has always been at its core a grassroots initiative.

About Initiative

Born from a chance encounter in 2003 between British artist, Stephen Stapleton, and Saudi artists at the Al Meftaha Arts Village in Abha, Edge of Arabia has always been at its core a grassroots initiative.

From the mountains of Aseer to the backstreets of Jeddah, Stephen and Edge of Arabia co-founders, Ahmed Mater and Abdulnasser Gharem spent the next five years traveling the length and breadth of the country in search of outstanding artists voices to showcase in London.

Edge of Arabia officially launched with a major exhibition at London’s SOAS Brunei Gallery in October 2008. The project has since grown and with the vision of a new Creative Director, Abdullah Al-Turki, and a growing network of support, presented the first ever showing of contemporary art from Saudi Arabia at the 53rd Venice Biennale.

In January 2010 Edge of Arabia launched a world tour which has to date traveled to the Global Competitiveness Forum in Riyadh, Art Dubai and the 6th Berlin Biennale.

The story continues …

Initiative Management

Edge of Arabia