Ceramic Art Exhibition in Riyadh Explores Human Emotion, Culture, and Resilience

The Saudi Arabian Museum of Contemporary Art (SAMoCA) in Riyadh is currently hosting “Adaptability,” a powerful ceramic art exhibition that draws parallels between the malleability of clay and the resilience of the human spirit. Featuring works from 11 artists across five Arab countries, the exhibition runs until May 20 and offers an emotional and conceptual journey through heritage, community, and personal transformation.

“This exhibition beautifully illustrates the adaptability of clay, showcasing human creativity and our capacity for enduring change across cultures and civilizations,” said curator Samer Yamani. “It shows the similarity between clay and humans: We both are so strong, but fragile. And the higher the fire gets, the stronger we become.”

A Three-Circle Journey Through Inner Worlds, Culture, and Heritage

The layout of the exhibition is thoughtfully divided into three concentric circles, each representing a thematic layer of human experience:

• Inner circle: Focuses on internal thoughts and emotional expression.
• Middle circle: Explores community, culture, and the rhythm of daily life.
• Outer circle: Addresses heritage, sustainability, and urban development.

Sama Alsaket’s ‘Shades of Terracotta’: Bridging Architecture and Emotion

Among the standout pieces is Jordanian artist Sama Alsaket’s “Shades of Terracotta,” located in the exhibition’s middle circle. The work is crafted from five different types of Jordanian clay, blending Alsaket’s architectural background with her visual art practice to question the interplay between handmade, digital, and industrial production methods.

“My work focuses on researching the different kinds of clay in Jordan and documenting traditional techniques,” she explained. “I wanted to reimagine the traditional water vessel as a vertical structure, leveraging the properties of iron-rich terracotta in architectural contexts.”

She praised Riyadh’s growing cultural scene, stating: “Riyadh seems like such an amazing platform for artists — they’re trying to shape and think about what contemporary art in the Middle East is.”

Hana El-Sagini’s Ceramic Debut Reflects Illness, Femininity, and Humor

Egyptian artist Hana El-Sagini also presents her first ceramic piece at the exhibition: “The Doctor’s Desk.” A deeply personal and surreal exploration of illness and femininity, the work uses sculpted fingers to represent the transformation of one’s body and identity in times of medical adversity.

“I was a cancer patient, and as a Middle Eastern Muslim woman, you protect your body — it’s sacred,” El-Sagini shared. “But when you become a patient, you feel like an object to be fixed. It’s noble, but overwhelming.”

While the work explores serious themes, El-Sagini’s signature dark humor remains present: “I’m Egyptian, so I need to have that dark humor,” she added with a smile.

Though best known for her paintings, El-Sagini felt that clay was the right choice for this project: “It’s fragile, raw, malleable, and imperfect — just like the human body and experience.”

Clay as Cultural and Emotional Canvas

Each artist in “Adaptability” offers a distinct perspective on how clay, as both medium and metaphor, can reflect humanity’s emotional and cultural narratives. Whether exploring traditional craftsmanship, modern identity, or emotional vulnerability, the exhibition captures the extraordinary power of a humble material to tell timeless stories.

“The dialogue between different ways of thinking with the same material is very interesting,” Alsaket said. And indeed, “Adaptability” delivers that dialogue in compelling form — one shaped by fire, resilience, and the hands of Arab artists across the region.

“Adaptability” is on view at SAMoCA, Riyadh, until May 20, 2025.

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Categories: Art & Design, Culture & Heritage, Saudi Arabia, Exhibitions & Events, Contemporary Art
Tags: SAMoCA, Riyadh art scene, Arab contemporary artists, clay and ceramics, Hana El-Sagini, Sama Alsaket, Middle Eastern art, ceramic exhibition, Saudi art events