ALULA: Set against the dramatic backdrop of AlUla, ATHR gallery’s Al-Jadida space opened a new group exhibition on July 13, titled “Returning to a Present.” The exhibition is curated by Pharah Al-Ghalib in her first role as a curator, and will feature Saudi artists Sarah Abu Abdullah, Ahaad Alamoudi, Ayman Yossri Daydban, Sultan bin Fahad, Ibrahim Romman and Muhannad Shono, with each exploring the interplay between tradition and transformation in contemporary Saudi Arabia. Through video, photography, painting and installation, the artworks aim to reflect the diverse social and aesthetic environments that shape Saudi Arabia. “My intent with the exhibition was to create a platform that celebrates the vibrant and diverse works of Saudi artists, while delving into the intricate layers of interplay between art, culture and society,” Al-Ghalib said. The featured Saudi artists are from diverse backgrounds around the Kingdom. In a statement, the gallery said the exhibition aims to “provoke dialogue and challenge preconceptions, highlighting the transformative role of art in shaping societies.” The gallery was founded in Jeddah in 2009 by Mohammed Hafiz and Hamza Serafi, and has since expanded to include two other locations in the Kingdom: ATHR Jax in Riyadh and ATHR AlUla. The exhibition closes Sept. 30 at ATHR Gallery in AlUla.