SACM - United Kingdom
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://drepo.sdl.edu.sa/handle/20.500.14154/9667
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Item Restricted Changing Saudi Arabia: Exploring the Art and Cultural Scene in a Country on the Cusp of Transformation(King's College London, 2023-12-01) Alhebaishi, Shatha Salah; England, LaurenRecently, Saudi Arabia has undergone significant reforms in various areas of the country, including art and culture. While previous studies have documented the development of the creative milieu in the country, there has been no eminent research exploring the current development of the creative milieu. This research aims to investigate the experiences of Saudi artists and curators within the context of the country's new Vision 2030 plan, with a focus on understanding how they navigate the tension between modern artistic expression and respecting cultural values and norms. Additionally, the research aims to uncover the challenges they face despite the reforms and the impact of Vision 2030 on the art and cultural landscape as seen from their perspective. The dissertation utilised a qualitative method using data collected through semi-structured interviews with artists and curators, providing insights into their experiences and perceptions. A thematic analysis approach was used to analyse the data, allowing the main themes to emerge directly from the respondents' descriptions. The findings argue that artists are navigating the tension between modern artistic expression and respecting cultural values by employing techniques such as self-censorship, subtly and symbolism. Additionally, the main challenges they continue to face despite the new reforms include the scarcity of venues to exhibit, the absence of art education and the lack of intermediaries and sufficient institutions. The findings will also consider the influence of Vision 2030 reforms on the art and cultural landscape, highlighting changing levels of public acceptance and changing societal issues. Moreover, this study calls for further research into documenting the evolving art and cultural scene of the country in order to preserve and improve the foundation of the creative scene for the future.18 0