Arduna. Our land

Artistic direction and curatorial concept

As an oasis on the historic Incense Road that linked India and the Arabian Gulf to the Levant and Europe, AlUla represented a haven or a refuge for the traders that passed through. It was a sanctuary, a place of safekeeping where they could leave their worldly goods whilst away. It was a place of rest, contemplation and meditation - a garden within the expanse of the desert. The exhibition takes this image of the garden as a point of departure. Drawing inspiration from the site of AlUla, it will show how both modern and contemporary artists explore our evolving relationship to nature and the land. With over 80 artworks from all disciplines, it will bring together masterpieces by modern pioneering artists such as Pablo Picasso, David Hockney; Joan Mitchell and Wassily Kandinsky, alongside leading contemporary voices including Saudi artists Ayman Zedani and Manal AlDowayan, and regional artists Imran Qureshi, Samia Halaby and Etel Adnan.

Organised into six chapters, the exhibition delves into nature’s multiple manifestations, both real and imagined, on a journey through gardens, forests, deserts and their constellatory reflections in the cosmos. Through a display of impactful and thought-provoking artworks, it will tackle the challenges the world encounters today, examining notions of the Anthropocene, the threat of climate change, migratory displacement and the spread of urbanisation. As artists attempt to disentangle humankind’s complex and often conflicted relationship with the environment, the,exhibition can be seen as a plea for the shaping of new modes of co-existence between all forms of life.

New commissions
As part of AlUla’s evolving creative ecosystem, "Arduna" will introduce new artwork commissions developed in close dialogue with the region’s unique landscapes and cultural narratives.

Audiences will see new works by Saudi artist Ayman Zedani and Lebanese artist Tarek Atoui, both of whom created their projects during the AlUla Artists Residency Program. The exhibition also unveils new commissions from Saudi artist Dana Awartani, Bahamian conceptual artist Tavares Strachan, and French artist Renaud Auguste-Dormeuil. Together, these works reflect the museum’s role in producing works that emerge from, and contribute to, the vibrant network of artists, curators and communities that define AlUla’s unique creative identity.

Visitor experience and locations
"Arduna" will be a ticketed exhibition and staged within the galleries of the forthcoming contemporary art museum’s preopening spaces, giving visitors an opportunity to explore worldclass art within a setting that bridges ancient heritage and contemporary creation. As part of the AlUla Arts Festival 2026, the annual celebration that transforms the ancient city into a stage for art, design and culture, "Arduna" marks a key step towards the launch of AlUla’s contemporary art museum.

This thoughtfully collaborative exhibition reflects the museum’s commitment to curatorial depth, cultural dialogue and accessibility.

Visitors will encounter an institution that delivers profound artistic experiences, cultivating knowledge, creativity, reflection and cultural exchange. It connects audiences with meaningful encounters, fosters the development of regional talent, and positions AlUla as a vital centre in the global cultural network.

The Partnership between Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and Centre Pompidou
This collaboration is part of a broader intergovernmental agreement signed in April 2018 between France and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The agreements between RCU and Centre Pompidou include a partnership to support the renovation of the historic Centre Pompidou building, and secondly the support of Arts AlUla’s contemporary art vision.

One of the initial phases of the partnership involves supporting the cultural programming that serves as a pre-activation of the future museum. Designed within a dynamic of reciprocity, this programming fosters exchanges between Saudi, French, and international artists, while placing public engagement at the heart of the artistic and educational process. This approach allows for experimentation and the ongoing evolution of the museum’s cultural and scientific vision, through residencies, artist commissions, creative workshops, intellectual encounters, exhibitions, and site-specific projects. In this context, Arts AlUla and Centre Pompidou present the exhibition "Arduna" in a specially built space in the same location of the forthcoming museum. The exhibition will begin to establish the cultural vision of the museum in AlUla ahead of museum’s opening.

This exhibition establishes a dialogue between the national collections of Centre Pompidou and those of the RCU, enriched by artist commissions, a publication, a mediation program and workshops, as well as a series of talks and performances. Both Arts AlUla and Centre Pompidou look forward to welcoming international visitors, AlUla locals, students and scholars to this unique exhibition showcasing the artistic landscapes of Saudi Arabia, France and well beyond.

Curated by
Chief Curator and Head ofthe AlUla Contemporary Art Museum

Candida Pestana

Associate curator

Ftoon AlThaedi

Curator of International Projects Musée national d'art moderne - Centre Pompidou

Anna Hiddleston

Associate curator

Noémie Fillon