Riyadh is set to welcome the 'Along the Road' exhibition on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, organized by the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation's Masar Arts Institute, at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Arts Hall. The exhibition, which includes 34 artists and artists from Saudi Arabia and around the world, will run until March 31, 2027, and will be open daily from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM, offering a journey through contemporary art, calligraphy, and rare historical artifacts that explore the concept of travel as a means of acquiring knowledge and self-discovery.

The exhibition features 19 Saudi artists, 8 Arab artists, and 7 international artists, presenting works in various artistic forms, including paintings, sculptures, installations, textiles, and photography.

The exhibition draws heavily from Ibn Battuta's travels, reinterpreting the concept of travel through five main themes: maps and their representations, travel as a means of acquiring knowledge, ways of guidance during journeys, emotional maps, and nature as a living map.

Rare Manuscripts and Historical Artifacts

The exhibition also includes a collection of rare manuscripts and historical artifacts that highlight the contributions of Islamic civilization to the development of astronomy, geography, and navigation. Notable among these are the manuscript 'Images of the Fixed Planets' by the Sufi Razi from the 4th century AH, and the manuscript 'Nuzhat al-Qulub' by Qazwini Mustawfi, which includes a circular map of the world, alongside a brass astronomical disc from Persia used for determining locations and directions.

The exhibition aims to build a visual space that connects the Arab and Islamic heritage with modern artistic experiences, opening up the possibility for visitors to rethink their relationship with place, memory, nature, and knowledge.

The exhibition is part of the programs and initiatives of the Masar Arts Institute aimed at enhancing the presence of Saudi and Arab art, providing spaces for dialogue between local and international artistic practices, and offering cultural experiences that blend tradition and modernity.