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15 Jun 2025
“Homes of Memory” by Bashaer Hawsawi. Photo: Bilal Allaf
Hafez Gallery is one of those galleries you definitely know about — even if you have never actually been to Jeddah or Riyadh, but keep an eye on the region’s art scene. So many landmark exhibitions take place right here.
Among the recent shows that truly stood out to us (and that we have already written about) is The White Lilies of Marrakech: Women as Timeless Narratives by Lebanese artist Lana Khayat. At that exhibition, you could really see how Lana weaves together history, abstraction, and femininity — using Tifinagh and Arabic calligraphy to explore identity, resilience, and transformation.
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The lily becomes a central figure in her work, a symbol of perseverance and survival. But it wasn’t just in the art: Lana filled the centre of the exhibition space itself with real lilies. Picture it — dozens upon dozens of blooms arranged on a striking blue pedestal.
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Another recent highlight was THE WILL by the legendary Ahmed Nawar, a major figure in contemporary art across the region. The show offered a rare look at how Nawar’s drawing practice has evolved from the 1960s to today, since drawing has always been central to his work and remains a vital force in art as a whole.
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Or take the exhibition Tracing Line of Growth by contemporary Saudi artist Lina Gazzaz, where she used palm leaves to capture the passage of time and the transformation of natural materials into evocative human artefacts. Lina adorned the leaves with delicate red threads, each one narrating the continuity of growth and embodying a different dimension of existence.
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And then there was the unforgettable exhibition Homes of Memory by Bashaer Hawsawi, another Saudi artist, who dove deep into themes of memory, identity, and belonging — seriously powerful work that really sticks with you.
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“Homes of Memory” by Bashaer Hawsawi. Photo: Bilal Allaf
At this year’s Art Dubai (where Hafez Gallery has long been a regular), they participated with two booths: one in the Contemporary section and another in Digital. In Contemporary, they presented a spectacular solo show by Ibrahim El Dessouki. The Egyptian artist experiments boldly with oil, exploring a range of themes and approaches. Sometimes he builds up colours in rich, textured layers; other times, he scratches the surface to expose hidden depths. His work shifts between intricate, highly detailed moments and broad, open spaces, moving fluidly from strict perspective to complete abstraction.
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Of course, this is just a glimpse of what they do. What never fails to amaze us is the way Hafez Gallery discovers and champions such distinctive artists, each one brought in with real care and a clear vision. It is not just about putting on shows; you can feel the sense of mission behind every curatorial choice, making space for voices that matter and stories that need to be seen. Maybe that is why so many people keep coming back: there is always something unexpected and meaningful waiting here.
By the way, their mission is clear: “to shine a light on the Saudi art scene and empower local talent.” And they truly deliver on that — not only uplifting artists at home, but also showcasing the richness of the Arab world’s art scene to a broader audience. Since Qaswra Hafez founded the gallery in 2014, Hafez Gallery has been breaking boundaries and opening doors far beyond Saudi Arabia (for instance, last year they collaborated with Sotheby’s in London to bring Middle Eastern art to a global audience).
And finally, for when you are convinced Hafez is a must-visit, here is the practical info:
— In Jeddah:
You will find the gallery on the 3rd floor at Bougainvillea.
— In Riyadh:
Hafez is located in the JAX District. Just wait for the golf cart and ask to be dropped off at H19.
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