How do this year’s exhibitions, “Hay Ainek - In a New Light” and “When the Fog Whispers”, fit into the Commission’s wider strategy for cultural preservation and expression?

“Hay Ainek – In a New Light” showcases the winning and finalist works from this year’s Kingdom Photography Award, selected from over 1,300 submissions. The exhibition captures a vivid cross-section of contemporary life in Saudi Arabia, from natural landscapes to urban rhythms, and reflects the Commission’s commitment to supporting creative excellence while documenting the evolving visual identity of the Kingdom.

In contrast, “When the Fog Whispers” takes a more introspective and regionally focused approach. By commissioning five artists to create an original body of work rooted in personal connections to the Aseer region, the exhibition offers a poetic visual essay on place, people and memory.

Together, these exhibitions speak to our broader vision to empower artists, their authentic creative voices and the foundations that support them. 

With over 1,300 submissions, how did you navigate the balance between technical mastery and emotional storytelling when evaluating entries?

Photography is both a craft and a language; for us, the most compelling entries are those that excel in both. While technical skill is essential, it is the narrative depth that truly sets a powerful image apart. This year’s independent jury, comprising Kholood Saleh Al-Bakr and Sara Al-Mutlaq from Saudi Arabia, Rola Khayyat (Qatar/USA), Roi Saade (Lebanon), and Shannon Ghannam (Australia), brought together a range of regional and international perspectives to evaluate each submission through this dual lens. They considered technical excellence in composition, lighting and technique, but also successful storytelling - how the submitted images make us see the world anew. 

What excites you most about the new wave of creative talent coming out of Saudi Arabia?

What excites me most is seeing how these voices, rooted in place, speak to global audiences. Through the Award’s regional focus and commissioned projects, we’ve seen stunning bodies of work that reflect the richness of our landscapes, communities, and cultural histories, with each photographer bringing their own lens to the story of the Kingdom.

How is the Visual Arts Commission helping young artists reach new audiences, locally and globally?

At the Commission, our role is to provide platforms for visibility, while building and expanding the ecosystems that help young artists sustain and grow their practice, here in Saudi Arabia and beyond. Through initiatives like our newly launched Mentorship & Guidance Program, we are actively investing in the next generation of visual artists, curators, critics and writers. This programme connects emerging talent with established professionals to explore career-building strategies, artistic development, and business acumen through tailored one-on-one and group sessions.

At the same time, annual initiatives such as the Kingdom Photography Award continue to shine a light on new voices from across the country. The award creates tangible pathways for exposure and professional recognition, including a significant prize fund and high-profile exhibitions.

Whether through strategic mentorship, cross-cultural collaboration or national platforms, our goal is to empower artists to see their practice as an impactful career that can resonate on the world stage.

What do you believe are the untapped visual narratives of Saudi Arabia that photography can help surface and preserve?

Saudi Arabia is a country of extraordinary contrasts, between ancient and contemporary, urban and remote, seen and unseen. Some of the most powerful stories still lie in the quieter corners of our daily lives, in the intangible heritage passed through generations, and in the lived experiences of communities that have rarely been visually represented. Photography allows us to surface these narratives with immediacy and emotional truth.

There is immense potential in exploring the subtleties of cultural rituals, the nuances of regional identities, and the evolving relationship between people and their environments. Through the lens, we can preserve fleeting moments, amplify underrepresented voices and reframe our understanding. I believe photography in Saudi Arabia and initiatives like the Kingdom Photography Award are key to opening up those stories to the world.

Why did you focus on the Aseer region through this year’s commissioned photography?

The Aseer region is one of the cultural and geographical heartlands of Saudi Arabia and a place where living heritage thrives against a backdrop of breathtaking natural beauty. From the ancient village of Rijal Almaa, to the sweeping Sarawat mountain range, Aseer offers a compelling landscape of stories waiting to be told.

This year, we wanted to highlight that richness. 'When the Fog Whispers' became a poetic visual essay, inviting five artists from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Morocco to explore personal responses and connections to Aseer. The result is a collection of works that are deeply human, contemplative and grounded in place.

Whether it’s Abdulmajeed Alroudhan’s documentation of the Kingdom’s disappearing vintage gas stations in ‘Waystations’, Elham Aldawsari’s generational dialogue in ‘Fleeting Through Asir’, Mohamed Mahdy’s poetic meditation on the bond between the people and landscape in ‘When the Land Loves You Back’, Lina Geoushy’s tribute to the women preserving the Al Qatt artform in ‘Banat Al Qatt’, or Hicham Gardaf’s contemplative journey through juniper forests in ‘The Road to Juniper’ — each of these works reflect the core mission of the Kingdom Photography Award: to empower artists while preserving and reinterpreting our cultural heritage through a contemporary lens. Aseer, with its layered identity and living traditions, was the perfect place to do that.

What’s your long-term vision for the Kingdom Photography Award, and what impact do you hope it will have on future generations of Saudi creatives?

Our long-term vision for the Kingdom Photography Award is to establish it as a national beacon that celebrates the medium of photography as an art form and showcases the depth of creative talent, both emerging and established, from every corner of Saudi Arabia. Each edition offers a window into the diverse visual narratives unfolding within our regions, and we are continuously inspired by how photographers respond to local contexts with depth, sensitivity, and innovation.

Looking ahead, we hope the Award becomes an enduring platform for Saudi photographers to be seen, supported, and celebrated on a local and global stage. More than a recognition, it’s a commitment to fostering a thriving ecosystem where visual storytelling flourishes, one that inspires future generations to share their vision with the world.