Bonhams is delighted to announce its first-ever initiative in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Judhoor / Roots: The Origins of Saudi Modernism, an exhibition and associated programme of events opening at the newly renovated LIFT Gallery in Riyadh's JAX District from 8–10 October 2025. The gallery is owned by HRH Princess Nouf bint Abdulaziz Al Saud and is situated in the heart of the capital's new vibrant creative hub.

Judhoor / Roots traces the emergence and transformation of Saudi Arabia's modern art scene, from the pioneering contributions of artists such as Abdulrahman Al Soliman, Safeya Binzagr, and Mohamed Al Saleem, through to the ambitious voices of the 1980s and beyond. Nima Sagharchi, Group Head of Middle Eastern Art, comments: "This is the first auction-house curated exhibition of local modern art in the Kingdom, highlighting the deep roots of Saudi modernism and uncovering a largely overlooked history, one that foregrounds the narratives that predate today's flourishing cultural moment."

The exhibition brings together seminal works of Saudi modernism alongside important documentary and archival material. Among the highlights is a horizon painting by Mohammed Al Saleem from the 1980s, inspired by his abstraction of the Riyadh skyline viewed from the desert. Also on view is one of Abdulrahman Al Soliman's most intimate works, a 1981 painting of Al-Ahsa oasis, created with desert soil he collected on childhood visits. Archival material from Dar Al-Fnoon, Saudi Arabia's first modern art space, founded by Al Saleem, adds crucial context to the story.

Significantly, Judhoor also features several leading female voices in the Saudi Art scene. The exhibition marks the first time an auction house has presented the work of Safeya Binzagr, a graduate of Central Saint Martins in the 1960s and the first female artist to hold a solo exhibition in Saudi Arabia. Her celebrated 31-work cycle documenting traditional attire is a landmark in the visual preservation of Saudi cultural identity. Other highlights include Bakr Sheikhoun's Portrait of a Woman, a powerful early expression from an artist who would later become the Kingdom's first conceptual practitioner.

Works featured in Judhoor / Roots will subsequently appear in Bonhams' 25 November auction in London.

Building on the exhibition, a panel discussion will be held at Maison Assouline, located near the historical district of Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The panel will include Najla Al Saleem, artist and daughter of Mohamed Al Saleem; Abdulrahman Al Soliman, one of Saudi Arabia's most renowned modern artists; Lulwah AlHomoud, an award winning Saudi artist and curator; academic Nada Al Rakaf; and will be moderated by Arab art specialist Fadia Antar.

Participating artists: Abdulhalim Radwi, Abdulrahman Al Soliman, Abdullah Al Shaikh, Bakr Sheikhoun, Ibrahim Al Fassam, Khalid Al Owais, Mohammed Al Saleem, Najla Al Saleem, Ola Hejazi, Safeya Binzagr, Saud Al Qahtani, Taha Al Sabban, and Wedad Alahmadi.
Exhibition dates: 8–10 October 2025

Location: LIFT Gallery, JAX District, Riyadh

The announcement comes after the appointment of Suzy Sikorski as Business Development Director in The Middle East.