On April 30th, 2025 Jeddah’s Hayy Jameel launched two breath taking exhibitions, “Hayy Aynak — In a New Light” and “When the Fog Whispers” celebrating the winners of the third Kingdom Photography Awards. With over 1,300 submissions and SR400,000 in prizes, the awards highlight Saudi Arabia’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and artistic talent through the lenses of local and regional photographers.

Details & Context

The Kingdom Photography Awards organised by the Visual Arts Commission, unveiled its third edition winners on April 30th, 2025 at Hayy Jameel in Jeddah. The awards, a key platform for Saudi Arabia’s creative community, invited photographers to capture the Kingdom’s diverse landscapes and narratives, aligning with Vision 2030’s cultural goals. Over 1,300 entries competed for SR400,000 in prizes judged by an international panel for creativity, technical skill and storytelling. The exhibitions, running until May 25th, 2025 showcase Saudi’s deserts, urban vibrancy and cultural traditions.

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“Hayy Aynak — In a New Light” features winning works from the main competition, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s aesthetic diversity—from serene deserts to bustling cities. “When the Fog Whispers” focuses on the Asir region, with five artists presenting emotional, reflective projects about its misty mountains and heritage. Photographers like Abdulmajeed Al-Ruwaidan and Elham Al-Dossary explored themes of memory and transformation while Mohamed Mahdy and Lina Geoushy captured human connections and traditions like Al-Qatt Al-Asiri.

X posts from @MOCVisualArts and @scenenowsaudi highlight the exhibitions’ buzz, with #KingdomPhotographyAwards trending as users share images of Asir’s landscapes and award ceremonies. Web sources including Arab News and Saudi Gazette, note the awards’ role in elevating Saudi Arabia’s global cultural presence, building on Vision 2030’s focus on arts and heritage.

Quotes

·      Dina Amin, CEO, Visual Arts Commission (via Arab News): “We’re creating a visual odyssey of Saudi Arabia’s landscapes, people and stories through diverse photographic lenses.”

·      Mohammed Sumji, Curator (via Arab News): “The Asir region’s unique landscape inspired our photographers to craft compelling stories of human connection and heritage.”

·      Lina Geoushy, Photographer (via Arab News): “Capturing Al-Qatt Al-Asiri’s women in Rijal Almaa was a tribute to their healing art and vibrant spirit.”

·      X User (@MOCVisualArts): “Discover Saudi Arabia’s soul through the #KingdomPhotographyAwards at Hayy Jameel.! #InANewLight #SaudiVisualArts”

Additional Information

The Kingdom Photography Awards launched in 2023 to promote Saudi Arabia’s cultural and natural wealth, aligning with Vision 2030’s aim to position the Kingdom as a global arts hub. The 2025 edition focused on the Asir region, known for its fog-draped mountains and UNESCO-recognized Al-Qatt Al-Asiri art. The Visual Arts Commission, under the Ministry of Culture, supports such initiatives to foster local talent and international collaboration.

Notable works include Abdulmajeed Al-Ruwaidan’s “Roadside Stations,” preserving images of old Saudi gas stations, and Elham Al-Dossary’s “Crossing Asir,” blending her father’s 1960s-70s archives with modern shots. Mohamed Mahdy’s “When the Land Loves You” captures Asir’s emotional ties, while Lina Geoushy’s “Daughters of Al-Qatt” honors women artisans. Hicham Gardaf’s “The Road to the Juniper” explores Asir’s juniper forests as cultural archives.

X posts, like @MOCVisualArts’ call for workshop registrations, show strong community engagement, with #WhenTheFogWhispers gaining traction for Asir-focused content. Web sources, such as Saudi Press Agency, highlight upcoming Visual Arts Commission events including workshops with international experts during the exhibition period. The awards follow successes like the Saudi Film Festival, reinforcing the Kingdom’s creative momentum.

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Impact Analysis

The Kingdom Photography Awards 2025 have significant impacts,

·      Cultural Promotion: The exhibitions elevate Saudi Arabia’s global image as a cultural destination, supporting Vision 2030’s tourism goals.

·      Local Talent: Winners like Al-Ruwaidan and Al-Dossary inspire young Saudis to pursue photography, fostering creative industries.

·      Economic Boost: Events at Hayy Jameel drive tourism and local business in Jeddah, per Saudi Gazette.

·      Social Media Buzz: #KingdomPhotographyAwards has 10K+ X posts with visuals of Asir’s landscapes driving retweets.

·      Heritage Preservation: Projects like Geoushy’s preserve traditions like Al-Qatt Al-Asiri, recognised by UNESCO.

The Kingdom Photography Awards 2025 at Hayy Jameel celebrate Saudi Arabia’s landscapes, stories and creative spirit through stunning photography. From Asir’s misty mountains to Jeddah’s vibrant art scene, winners like Mohamed Mahdy and Lina Geoushy showcase the Kingdom’s soul. As Saudi Arabia shines as a cultural hub, these exhibitions mark a milestone in Vision 2030’s journey. Stay connected for more inspiring stories from the Kingdom.

Call to Action (CTA)

Follow The Daily Hints for updates on the Kingdom Photography Awards and Saudi Arabia’s cultural rise. Share this article on X to celebrate the Kingdom’s photographers. Use hashtags like #KingdomPhotographyAwards and #SaudiPhotography to join the conversation.

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