The exhibition will shine a spotlight on women’s works between the 1960s and 1980s.
Arab women have long shaped the region’s creative story, yet their contributions are too often footnotes in wider art histories. Horizon in Their Hands places them at the forefront. Presented by the King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture, known as Ithra, the exhibition offers a look at a pivotal era in modern Arab art. Running until 14 February 2026, it traces artistic practices that emerged between the 1960s and the 1980s, a period when female artists reframed tradition, interrogated identity and claimed space within a male-dominated landscape.
Curated by Remi Homs and staged in partnership with the UAE-based Barjeel Art Foundation, Horizon in Their Hands gathers works by 50 artists from across the Arab world. Painting, sculpture, glass, brass, tapestry, ceramics and mixed media appear side by side, revealing how form and material became tools for storytelling, resistance and renewal. The result is a dynamic survey that invites audiences to consider how art served as both a mirror and a megaphone for women navigating social, political and cultural shifts.
Notable figures anchor the narrative. Safeya Binzagr, recognised as the first Saudi woman to stage a solo exhibition in the Kingdom, brings an intimate record of heritage and everyday life. Saudi artist Mounirah Mosly explores texture and tactility, drawing on materials such as copper and palm tree fibre to expand the language of painting. From Palestine, Vera Tamari presents Palestinian Women at Work, a poignant reflection on memory, labour and homeland. Their works sit in conversation with those of artists from Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, and Morocco, creating a richly layered overview of how women have shaped the region’s modern art history.
Horizon in Their Hands is more than a showcase. It is a corrective and a celebration, one that ensures these stories are seen, heard and remembered. Whether you are a seasoned collector or a curious first-time visitor, Ithra’s exhibition speaks with clarity and purpose.
Horizon in Their Hands celebrates the creativity of Arab women and ensures their stories are seen, heard, and remembered. Tickets start from SAR 35, making this a vital and accessible addition to Saudi Arabia’s cultural calendar.
GO: Visit www.ithra.com for more information.