An exclusive interview with leading Saudi artist Manal AlDowayan

Manal AlDowayan is Saudi Arabia’s leading contemporary artist. But she didn’t start her life - or even career - as an artist, having grown up in a part of the world where art, at the time, was limited, especially for women. So, how did she become not just one of the world’s leading contemporary artists, but one representing Saudi Arabia with a significant multimedia installation at the prestigious Venice Biennale in 2024?

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Manal’s journey from computer science major from Dammam in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia to a leading global contemporary artist is fascinating and inspirational. Her installation in Venice, called ‘Shifting Sands: A Battle Song,’ showing from April to November, is a multimedia installation.

AlDowayan also discusses what Saudi Arabia needs to continue its development as an art-rich society and culture.

AlDowayan’s work has been exhibited regionally and internationally in the most prestigious art institutions such as the Guggenheim and the Louvre Abu Dhabi, The British Museum, and many others. Born in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia in 1973, AlDowayan currently lives and works between London and Dhahran.

Before the conversation, Lucien and Hanaa do a “DeepDive” segment on Saudi Aramco’s recent share sale, which was fully subscribed within hours of availability — and what that might say about Saudi Arabia’s efforts to diversify the economy and attract foreign investment.

The hosts also finish the episode (#11) with a discussion of some of the latest news headlines and stories driving the day in Saudi Arabia.

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