Following its recent success with the first Pan-Arab exhibition of contemporary art 'The Future of a Promise' at the 54th Venice Biennale, the internationally renowned arts initiative Edge of Arabia, with support from Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiatives and Abraaj Capital will be launching the most significant show of Saudi contemporary art ever held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Edge of Arabia Jeddah: We Need to Talk, curated by Mohammed Hafiz and co-curated by Edge of Arabia founder Stephen Stapleton, will open on 19th January 2012 in a stunning 1000 square meter space in the Al Furusia Marina, a magnificent new development on the Jeddah Corniche overlooking the Red Sea.

Ranging from video to sculpture to installation, the exhibition will feature over 40 new works by Saudi's emerging contemporary artists, including: Abdulnasser Gharem, Ahmed Angawi, Ahmed Mater, Ayman Yossri Daydban, Eyad Maghazil, Hala Ali, Hamza Serafi, Ibrahim Abumsmar, Jowhara AlSaud, Manal Al-Dowayan, Maha Malluh, Noha Al-Sharif, Nasser Al-Salem, Saddek Wasil, Sami Al- Turki and Sarah Abu Abdullah.

Curator Mohammed A. Hafiz says: "This exhibition will be a true homecoming for Edge of Arabia and is geared towards encouraging constructive discussion and dialogue between Saudi contemporary artists and the local community. All participating artists will react to our title 'We Need to Talk' within three categories: the Past, the Present, and the Future. This is a great opportunity for us all to think about how we can positively shape and influence the world around us."

To accompany the exhibition, Edge of Arabia will deliver an ambitious education programme aimed at engaging local school and university students in contemporary art from across the region. The programme will include an art symposium to be held at Dar Al-Hekma University, a dedicated 100 square meter education room within the exhibition, with workshop, presentation and research facilities for visitors; guided tours of the exhibition and practical workshops with participating artists for local school and university groups; and an internship programme for local students. Alongside the main exhibition three key artworks from the Abraaj Capital Collection will be on display: Rhyme & Reason by Nazgol Ansarinia (2009), New Dream Machine Project by Shezad Dawood (2011) and Gon by Timo Nasseri (2011).

EDGE OF ARABIA JEDDAH: We Need to Talk

Location: Al Furusia Mall & Marina, Al Corniche Road, Jeddah

Curator: Mohammed A. Hafiz // Co-Curator: Stephen Stapleton

Exhibition dates: 20^th January - 18^th February 2012, Saturday - Thursday: 12-11pm.

Admission Free.

ART SYMPOSIUM

Location: Dar Al-Hekma College, Jeddah

Date: 18^th January 2012, 6-9pm. Admission Free.

Curator: Mohammed Hafiz

Born in 1975. Lives in Jeddah. Co-Founder and Director of Athr Gallery.

Founded Athr Gallery in 2008, one of the first contemporary art galleries in Saudi Arabia dedicated to providing a platform for art from Saudi Arabia and the wider Arab world. A keen collector and art patron, Mohammed is engaged with a number of initiatives to promote art from Saudi Arabia, such as Edge of Arabia, and The Crossway Foundation.

Co-Curator: Stephen Stapleton

Born in 1976. Lives between London, Istanbul and Jeddah.

Artist, Teacher, Curator, Founding Director of Edge of Arabia, EOA Projects, Offscreen Expeditions and The Crossway Foundation. Founded the arts initiative Edge of Arabia while travelling as an artist across the Middle East in 2003. Since then he has developed a number of creative platforms for education and collaboration between the Arab and Western world. Recently produced the first Pan-Arab exhibition at the Venice Biennale The Future of A Promise, as well as Edge of Arabia exhibitions in Dubai (Terminal), Istanbul (Transition), Berlin (Grey Borders/Grey Frontiers), Riyadh, Jeddah and London. Has published a number of books in collaboration with Edward Booth-Clibborn including:Offscreen: Four Young Artists in the Middle East (2004), Ahmed Mater (2010),Abdulnasser Gharem: Art of Survival (2011), Edge of Arabia: Contemporary Art from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (2012).