Press

Ahmed Mater: The First Solo Exhibition of a Saudi Artist in Mainland China

SmartShanghai, 2025

This exhibition marks the first solo showcase of a Saudi Arabian artist in mainland China, featuring over 100 works by Ahmed Mater spanning his artistic journey to date.

Ahmed Mater: Coreografie Magnetiche

Domus, 2015

Ahmed mater investigates the hidden dynamics of iron and magnetism as forces that shape both landscape and society.

Islamic Arts Biennale 2025

AD Middle East, 2025

Whether you're an art enthusiast, a culture seeker, or simply curious, the 2025 Islamic Arts Biennale offers an awe-inspiring window to global creativity – spanning centuries, style and media – informed by the spirituality of the Muslim world.

Ahmed Mater Presents Artwork at Christie’s Auction House in London

AlAraibiya, 2024

Contemporary Saudi artist Ahmed Mater will exhibit over 100 pieces of his artwork at Christie’s fine art and luxury auction house in London from July 17 to August 22.

The Diriyah Biennale Indexes the Transformation of Saudi Arabia

Frieze, 2024

Despite a vague curatorial approach, ‘After Rain’ offers visitors and locals alike a chance to reflect on the Kingdom’s big plans for the region

Saudi Artists Receive French Order of Arts and Letters at Knight Rank

Asharq Al-Awsat, 2024

France has awarded the French Order of Arts and Letters at the rank of Knight, in the name of the French President, Saudi artists and establishments in recognition of their exceptional contributions to art.

Colossal Installations at AlUla’s Arts Valley: From Ahmed Mater to James Turrell

Designboom, 2022

Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for AlUla has revealed five initial permanent installations that will be completed by 2024 for AlUla’s ‘Wadi AlFann’ —or ‘Valley of the Arts’.

Major Artists Sign up to Fill Saudi Arabian Desert Valley with Massive Art Installations

The Wall Street Journal, 2022

The 25-square-mile project is the Kingdom’s latest effort to become an international art hub, with art installations by artists like Ahmed Mater and James Turrell

Ahmed Mater: Grey Eagle

Factum Arte, 2021

For his solo show at Frieze 2021 with ATHR Gallery (13 – 17 October 2021), Ahmed Mater presented a new body of work, Grey Eagle

‘It’s important to keep our identity as we reach out globally’

Arab News, 2020

A reflection on the human condition in light of the global pandemic and the drive towards globalisation

How Ahmed Mater Reveals the Humanity of Mecca

The Village Voice, 2018

Ahmed is interviewed and profiled for The Village Voice during his groundbreaking exhibition at Brooklyn Museum.

The Edge Becomes the Center

Art Asia Pacific, 2018

Kevin Jones profiles Ahmed and his enduring commitment to art that can change the world. He writes, "Call him naive, but Ahmed Mater sincerely believes art has the power to change the world."

Interview with Lyle Rexer

Photograph Magazine, 2018

Ahmed Mater’s photographs of Mecca arrive at a crucial time, to capture the divergent and often contradictory aspects of a city in transformation.

"Art and culture now is about exchange"

The National, 2018

Ahmed discusses his work as an artist and and cultural producer with The National, the UAE's leading English-language newspaper

What we can Learn from Saudi Art

The Art Newspaper, 2018

Chris Dercon reflects in The Art Newspaper on the rapid transformation of Saudi Arabia’s art scene. Amid rising investment, will it lose its grassroots spirit? He recalls Ahmed Mater’s lifelong commitment to preserving its unique identity.

Mitochondria: Powerhouses

My Art Guide, 2017

Ahmed was interviewed by Elena Scarpa for My Art Guides at the time of his first solo exhibition at Galleria Continua

A Prayer for Mecca

The Financial Times, 2017

At the time of his major Brooklyn Museum solo exhibition, The Financial Times reflect on the urgency of Ahmed’s portrait of a city in transition

Misk Art Institute Launches Regional Program at Forum

Saudi Gazette, 2017

The Misk Art Institute has launched a regional cultural program with a groundbreaking series of exhibitions at the Misk Global Forum in Riyadh.

One Saudi’s Protest, Through The Viewfinder

Foreign Policy, 2016

A photography exhibition in Washington by a Saudi doctor-turned-artist casts a critical eye on Riyadh’s ties to big oil and the transformation of Mecca.

A Physician-Turned-Artist Offers a Diagnosis for Islam’s Holiest City

The New York Times, 2016

The Saudi artist Ahmed Mater created a book of more than 600 photographs to document life in Mecca, Islam’s holiest city.

After the Hajj

The Guardian, 2016

As millions of hajj pilgrims return home, Mecca’s two million locals are left struggling with the impacts of their changing city.

What Ahmed Mater’s ‘Golden Hour’ can Teach us

Washington Post, 2016

The first-ever solo museum exhibit by a Saudi artist in the US, Ahmed Mater’s “Symbolic Cities” presents an alternate narrative to the images of the desert kingdom familiar to most Americans.

Crossing the Line: A Prayer for Mecca

The Guardian, 2016

As the hajj begins once again, Saudi artist Ahmed Mater has revealed unprecedented changes to the holy city – from flashy new hotels to the loss of priceless neighbourhoods.

Crossing the Line: Standing Rock Protesters Are Warning Us

The Guardian, 2016

After visiting Standing Rock, Ahmed recognises that the protesters are a warning for the whole world.

Saudi Artist Hoists Flag at Standing Rock

Hyperallergic, 2016

Hrag Vartanian interviews Ahmed Mater as he hoists the Evolution of Man flags at Standing Rock, finding parallels between the battle to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline and the impact of oil in his own country.

A Conversation with Ahmed Mater

HuffPost, 2014

On the origins of Edge of Arabia and the struggle for contemporary art in Saudi Arabia.

Ahmed Mater in Conversation with Sir Anthony Gormley

The National, 2014

Sir Antony Gormley and Ahmed Mater together in Jeddah to explore how sculpture shapes culture, memory, and social change as part of the 21,39 programme.

100 Found Objects

The National, 2014

The solo presentation at Sharjah Art Foundation ranked in the top ten exhibitions in the world.

Interview by Henry Hemming

Edge of Arabia, 2012

Writer and artist Henry Hemming interviewed Ahmed for the Edge of Arabia publication, discovering a man of many masks – the artist, the doctor, the cultural influencer, the photographer.

Contemporary Saudi Artists Break Down Old 'Safety' Barriers

The Guardian, 2012

Despite the hostile climate, a determined few are tackling issues such as capitalism in Mecca and the impact of Islam on peace.