Christie's to host the first retrospective of Saudi artist Ahmed Mater in London
Ahmed Mater, Salam = Peace (Guncaps series). Executed in 2024, this work is number 5 from an edition of 8 plus 2 artist’s proof. Image © Courtesy of Ahmed Mater.
LONDON.—
Christie’s fine art and luxury auction house announced the first mid-career retrospective of one of the most influential Arab contemporary artists of this century. Ahmed Mater: Chronicles is taking place at Christie’s headquarters located in the heart of St. James’s, London, from 17 July – 22 August. Curated by Dr. Ridha Moumni, Chairman, Christie’s Middle East and Africa and organised thematically, the exhibition will trace Ahmed Mater’s expansive career, from his first artistic experiments to his latest projects. As an acclaimed multimedia artist working across mediums including photography, videos, paintings, sculptures and installations, the exhibition will illustrate Mater’s unique visual reflections on the transformations across the social and spiritual landscapes of Saudi Arabia, and the Arab World.
Ahmed Mater: Chronicles will trace his artistic genesis from experimental forays during medical school, his formative years in the Al-Meftaha Arts Village, and his involvement in enriching the Kingdom’s contemporary art scene with Edge of Arabia, to the laboratory of ideas and collaborations that his current studio represents. Christie’s exhibition will highlight Mater's seminal works, which include early-career abstract paintings, the Illumination series, the celebrated Desert of Pharan project and will also unveil his most recent work, including Magnetism Book, for the first time at Christie’s.
Drawing on themes of mutation, modernisation, land, and faith, the artworks included in Ahmed Mater: Chronicles will be on loan from prestigious institutions in the Middle East, from important private collections, and from the artist’s studio.
Dr. Ridha Moumni, Chairman, Christie’s Middle East & Africa comments, ‘It is an extraordinary privilege to present an odyssey into Ahmed Mater's visionary practice, the first mid-career retrospective dedicated to one of the leading cultural voices of the Middle East. Mater's captivating journey invites us to rethink urban and natural environments, unearth hidden histories, envision potential futures and ponder profound beliefs. His artistic responses to the swift transformations within Saudi Arabia’s complex social and cultural context invite us to discover fascinating narratives of an evolving land and reflect on its multifaceted identity.’
Ahmed Mater, comments, ‘It is a great honour to present my artistic journey at Christie’s historic headquarters in London this summer. It is especially poignant for me to exhibit in London almost 20 years after the first presentation of my work outside Saudi Arabia at the British Museum, in 2005. I am thrilled with the opportunity to reconnect with the city and its dynamic art community through this immersive and comprehensive exhibition of my practice. I have been witnessing Christie’s dedication over the years to promote art from the region and it is a distinction to be aligned in this respect, and build an educational and cross cultural dialogue.’
Ahmed Mater: Chronicles follows the largest exhibition of Arab art to have taken place in London at Christie’s in 2023. Modern and Contemporary Art of the Arab World was held in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Youth, U.A.E and Barjeel Art Foundation, Sharjah.
Ahmed Mater: Chronicles opens on 17 July until 22 August. Entry to the exhibition is free.
