Opening today, the comprehensive retrospective is a global first for the leading contemporary artist Ahmed Mater
Photograph of Ahmed Mater ©Ela Bialkowska. Courtesy of Ahmed Mater and GalleriaConƟnua. Pictured in front of ‘Tesla Coil’ executed in 2017 © Courtesy of Ahmed Mater
Known for his bold documentation of Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving social, economic, political, and religious dynamics, artist Ahmed Mater is not one to shy away from complexity. With his art functioning as a vehicle for communication, Mater has used photography, film, sculpture, and performance to map out the Kingdom’s cultural changes and their resulting impact on its communities, establishing himself as an influential creative voice addressing these transformations for a global audience. Today, that multifaceted visionary practice finds a home at Christie’s London, where an exhibition titled Ahmed Mater: Chronicles has been unveiled with more than 100 of his works on display until August 22.
“It is especially poignant for me to exhibit in London,” the artist said in a statement, pointing out that nearly 20 years have gone by since he first presented his work outside Saudi Arabia at the British Museum in 2005. Never before has there been a mid-career retrospective of this kind dedicated to the physician-turned-creative either. Major milestones from the past decade now on view include his unseen early abstract painting, pieces from his celebrated Illumination series which bridges the subjects of religion and science, and elements of his ongoing Desert of Pharan initiative depicting the swift development of Islam’s holiest city.
A group of sculptures related to “Ashab Al-Lal,” a site-specific installation commissioned by Wadi AlFann, Valley of the Arts, AlUla, a new cultural destination being developed by the Royal Commission for AlUla, © and courtesy of the Royal Commission for AlUla
Taking center stage at the show is a group of sculptures previewing “Ashab Al-Lal,” Mater’s site-specific installation commissioned by Wadi AlFann (Valley of the Arts), an area in AlUla dedicated to land art set to welcome visitors from 2025 (Saudi Arabia’s Manal AlDowayan was also tapped to contribute to the project, alongside three other international talents). According to Dr. Ridha Moumni, curator and chairman of Christie’s MENA, the inclusion of “Magnetism Book,” a new work from Mater’s iconic Magnetism series, is also a highlight. Inspired by the Holy Qur’an and religious texts, magnets and iron filings are used to symbolize sacred verses, calling attention to the spiritual forces upholding human faith. Variations of the original series have been exhibited at prominent institutions including the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris and the Brooklyn Museum in New York.
“Magnetism Book” a new work revealed for the first time, executed in 2024. © Ahmed Mater, courtesy of the artist
“Mater’s captivating journey invites us to rethink urban and natural environments, unearth hidden histories, envision potential futures and ponder profound beliefs,” Dr Moumni explained in a statement. “His artistic responses to the swift transformations within Saudi Arabia’s complex social and cultural context invite us to discover fascinating narratives of an evolving land and reflect on its multifaceted identity.”
“Evolution of Man” executed in 2010. © Ahmed Mater, courtesy of the artist
Aligned with the opening, the fine art and luxury auction house will be hosting a three-day, in-person course taking place from 22 – 24 July in London, offering participants an opportunity to gain a thorough understanding of the history of Islamic art through lectures, discussions, and exclusive tours. Reflective of Christie’s wider efforts to deepen its engagement with the Arab world, both the Ahmed Mater: Chronicles exhibition and the programming around it invite Londoners and summer tourists alike to participate in meaningful dialogues across cultures and borders — something that feels more important than ever right now.
