The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran has opened the exhibition of works shortlisted for the seventh edition of the Ithra Art Prize, held every two years to support artists in the Arab world and provide a platform for their creative projects, fostering artistic activity and cultural dialogue, with the winning work acquired for the Ithra Museum's permanent collection.

The exhibition features five shortlisted works: "Unknown Plants" by Aseel AlYaqoub from Kuwait, "Drawings Inside Matchboxes" by Bady Dalloul from Syria, "The Last Bearer: First Edition" by Heba Amin Al Mahamli from Egypt, "The Raised Arches" by Alaa Younis from Jordan, and "Ashes of Absence" by Jawad Al Malhi from Palestine.

The works range across installation, drawing, textiles and conceptual art, addressing themes of history, identity, memory and cultural context in creative practices that reflect the diversity of the contemporary art scene in the Arab region.

Farah Abushullaih, Head of the Ithra Museum, said the exhibition marks a new milestone in the prize's journey and strengthens its role as a platform for artistic production and cultural dialogue, noting that showing the finalist works gives the public a wider opportunity to engage with the ideas and visions of the participating artists.

This year's exhibition marks a step forward, bringing all the shortlisted works together in a single exhibition space for the first time, strengthening the connection between artists and audiences and supporting contemporary artistic practice at the regional and international levels.

The winning work is scheduled to be announced at the end of October 2026 and will join the permanent collection of the Ithra Museum, continuing the center's support for contemporary art and creative talent in the Arab world.