Saudi Arabia's Post-Oil Future Takes Center Stage Through Art

Riyadh's Black Gold Museum is taking a fresh look at Saudi Arabia's post-oil future through art. The museum, located in a Zaha Hadid building, features over 350 artworks on the subject of oil, with backing from the culture ministry and the state's petroleum think tank.

The exhibits span multiple eras, including before, during, and after oil became a central part of Saudi life. This shift reflects the kingdom's growing focus on its future beyond oil, which has been the backbone of the economy for most of the past century.

Two Saudi artists, Turki and Abdulrahman Gazzaz, will also be showcasing their work in Qatar's design biennial next month with their exhibit 'Post-Oil 2026'. The brothers are well-known Jeddah-born artists who have been exploring the impact of oil on Saudi society.