Located in Riyadh, Lift Gallery’s current exhibition, Middle/South, features the work of South African contemporary painter Frans Smit.
Portrait of Princess Reema by Frans Smit is one of the pieces in the exhibition in Riyadh. Photo: Courtesy of Lift Gallery
“In establishing Lift Gallery, it was a personal objective to collaborate with artists on a global scale, thereby promoting Saudi culture internationally and enhancing awareness about the Kingdom through the medium of art,” starts the gallery’s founder, Princess Nouf Bint Abdulaziz AlSaud. Located in Riyadh, Lift is both an art gallery and a co-working space providing Saudi young creatives with a place to explore and further their creativity, and its current exhibition, Middle/South, features the work of South African contemporary painter Frans Smit. His reimagining of Dutch old masters and Renaissance works sees the joining of traditional and modern painting techniques. This modern expression offers a new optic to old work. “Since I am unable to be in direct contact with these masters, I see myself as collaborating with their respective practices from afar,” he explains. “Their literal works become a part of my practice, trying to embody them as I recreate their work, being very much a part of the past while creating in the present.” The exhibition is curated by Victoria Nasser, who notably co-created and curated the unique Beiruti street art village Ouzville.
Portrait of Lulwah Al-Homoud by Frans Smit. Photo: Courtesy of Lift Gallery
Portrait of Mohammed Abdu by Frans Smit. Photo: Courtesy of Lift Gallery
This current showcase invites viewers to contemplate along with its artist the place of contemporary society and its art sphere today. With hues like yellow ochre, Prussian blue, black, white, and vermillion that recall the Middle East’s landscape, Smit interprets Saudi artists, singers, and society figures like Princess Reema, Etab, Lulwah Al-Homoud, Abdul Majeed Abdullah, and Mohammed Abdu. Three portraits also depict Saudi Flower Men, the descendants of the ancient Tihama and Asir groups, who are painted with generous brush strokes that invite viewers to consider these ancient people who have thrived for over 2,000 years. Smit looks to convey the distinctiveness of Saudi culture by spotlighting and offering tribute to people who have historically served as pillars of tradition and, in a way, paved the road for a new contemporaneity.
Another oil painting by Frans Smit. Photo: Courtesy of Lift Gallery
Abstract pieces by Frans Smit. Photo: Courtesy of Lift Gallery
“Through initiatives like Lift Gallery and the Middle/South exhibition, my goal is to collaborate with artists globally, leveraging art as a medium to promote Saudi culture on an international stage. By featuring artists from diverse backgrounds, such as a South African artist showcasing Saudi Arabia, we aim to raise awareness and encourage a deeper exploration of the rich tapestry of Saudi culture,” notes the 27-year-old founder. “These exhibitions serve as a bridge, allowing people to dig deeper into the cultural nuances of Saudi Arabia and fostering a greater understanding of this vibrant heritage.” The gallery, which also recently showcased the works of Ana Pusica, Hussain Alismail, and eL Seed, has contributed to an ongoing discourse focused on unity and a respectful curiosity of differences.
Lift Gallery in Riyadh. Photo: Courtesy of Lift Gallery
Originally published in the Spring/Summer 2024 issue of Vogue Living Arabia
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