The exhibition program includes:
In Praise of the Artisan, 25 November – 2026
In Praise of the Artisan is a major showcase of both historical and contemporary works, bringing together masterpieces from renowned collections such as the al-Sabah Collection at Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah and the Tareq Rajab Museum in Kuwait, alongside Ithra’s own Islamic art collection.
Curated by Idries Threvethan, Curator of Islamic Art at Ithra, the exhibition showcases over 130 works arranged by material and craft and features multiple pieces that have never been publicly displayed, including an 18th-century wooden interior from Damascus and the sacred 20th-century Kiswa cloth from the Ka’ba. Also on display eight specially commissioned pieces, among which the largest hand-carved stone screen created since the Taj Mahal in the 17th century (2024). These include large-scale installations, rare artifacts, and works by master artisans from various regions, including Saudi Arabia, Morocco, India, Spain, Egypt, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Malaysia. Offering a multi-sensory and immersive experience, In Praise of the Artisan, creates an interactive environment that emphasizes the importance of keeping crafting traditions alive, demonstrating how these continue to resonate and adapt within contemporary society.
The In Praise of the Artisan exhibition is a celebration of Islamic arts and crafts, highlighting their diverse influences and evolving traditions. Our hope is to inspire further exploration of Islamic crafts, fostering a deeper understanding of how these artistic traditions connect across regions while captivating audiences with their beauty and historical importance. For us, it is vital to view Islamic art as a living tradition that strengthens ties between craftspeople and their communities, enriching appreciation for historical collections and contemporary practice.
Idries Threvethan, Curator of Islamic Art at Ithra
Crafts in Conversation: A Convergence Between Contemporary and Traditional Art, 24th October – 30 November 2024
Curated by Kumail Muhammed Almusaly, Curator of Travelling Exhibitions at Ithra, the exhibition showcases 10 contemporary artists who draw inspiration from traditional arts and crafts, combining this with new materials and techniques. The works, all part of Ithra’s permanent collection, span embroidery, Qat Asiri (traditional interior wall decoration), ceramics, mashrabiya (traditional window screens), calligraphy, and printmaking and are showcased alongside traditional artifacts. Crafts in Conversation emphasizes that contemporary art often stems not from spontaneous inspiration, but from a high level of technical mastery and craftsmanship utilizing and preserving traditional skills.
Participating artists include: Haji Noor Deen Mi Guangjiangwith (China), Aisha Khalid (Pakistan), Fatima Abou Gahas (KSA), Rachid Koraichi (Algeria), Susan Hefuna (Germany/Egypt), Dana Awartani (KSA), Nasser Al Salem (KSA), Mona Saudi (Jordan), Sara Abdu (Yemen), Carla Salem (Lebanon).
The Continuation of a Craft: Saudi Traditional Costumes, 25 November – 23 August 2025
The Continuation of a Craft: Saudi Traditional Costumes is dedicated to the craftsmanship and historical significance of traditional Saudi costumes and jewelry, presenting a fascinating story of how imported and local materials were combined to create vibrant pieces.
Curated by Kostantinos Chatziantoniou, Head of Collection Management, Registration, and Conservation of Artwork at Ithra Museum, the exhibition includes original pieces of male and female clothing from different regions of Saudi Arabia and contemporary copies of original Saudi costumes from the past decade lent by the Mansoojat Foundation. Alongside these works Saudi contemporary fashion designers will be on display, bridging the past and present while celebrating the artisans’ mastery and the influence of Saudi cultural heritage. The exhibition also showcases a series of traditional garments from the Ithra collection and Islamic jewelry, including pieces from Serafy Foundation and Dar Al Funoon Islamiya Foundation’s collection. The exhibition is further enriched with research papers from Dr. Laila Al Bassam, a leading expert on Saudi Arabian heritage, offering in-depth context to the designs on display.
Plaza Exhibitions, 25-30 November 2024
Ithra’s Central Plaza will host a series of supporting exhibitions further exploring the theme of Islamic craft to complement the Islamic Art Conference. These include a presentation of artworks by students in the Jeddah and AlUla programs of the King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts, a collection of short films and photographs featuring crafts heritage projects from The Barakat Trust, the exhibition Aramco World: 75 Years of Connections Through Arts and Crafts, displaying 37 photographs captured by Aramco World magazine, and a selection of artisan pieces curated in collaboration with the UK institution Turquoise Mountain.
The Conference
The exhibition program runs in conjunction with the second edition of the Islamic Art Conference (25-26 November), hosted in collaboration with the Alfozan Award for Mosque Architecture. Titled In Praise of the Artisan: A Reassessment of Contemporary Islamic Arts & Crafts Practice, the conference was officially inaugurated on 24 November under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
In attendance at the opening ceremony, held in Ithra’s Theater, were high-level officials, researchers of Islamic art and history, industry experts and academics from all over the world, with a keynote speech by His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of The Abdullatif Al Fozan Award for Mosque Architecture. The conference explores the evolving landscape of Islamic arts and crafts across the Arab world, bringing together over 50 participants, including 27 speakers from more than 13 countries. This gathering celebrates the vibrant continuity of Islamic artistic traditions and the contributions of contemporary artisans working to preserve this heritage.
About Ithra
The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) is a world-class destination and the beating heart of Saudi Arabia’s culture & creative industry contributing to its prosperity by enabling talent, supporting content production and encouraging cross-cultural exchange that promotes social harmony and human development. Ithra is Saudi Aramco’s most ambitious CSR initiative and the largest cultural contribution to the Kingdom. Through a compelling series of programs, workshops, performances, events, exhibitions and other various initiatives, Ithra creates world-class experiences that bring together culture, innovation and knowledge designed to appeal to everyone. Ithra’s components include the Idea Lab, Library, Theatre, Museum, Cinema, Great Hall, Energy Exhibit, Children’s Museum and Ithra Tower.
For more information please visit Ithra’s website.
