The event took place on Thursday, 16th October 2025, at Central Saint Martins, and was organised by Dr. Ghadah Alharthi, Trustee of the Saudi-British Society.
Members of The Saudi British Society were generously invited to attend the event, Art × Innovation – New Directions from Middle East & Asia, exploring the evolving landscape of Middle Eastern art.
The evening featured conversations with international award-winning Saudi artist and previous Rawabi Award winner, Lulwah Al-Homoud, Sheikha Marwa Al-Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Fine Art Society, along with other brilliant experts who are shaping the exciting global dialogue around contemporary art from the region.
The event offered an exceptional opportunity to engage with leading voices and deepen your understanding of the region’s dynamic cultural transformations.
Event Details:
17:30 – 18:00 | Registration
Registration, networking and refreshments.
18:00 – 18:25 | Frieze and Networked Communities
Speaker: Aryana Khan — Head of Frieze Connect
Moderator: Pejman Nazari — Artist and Entrepreneur
18:30 – 18:55 | Artist Perspective: The Art of Business
Speaker: Lulwah Al-Homoud — CSM Alumna, Artist and Entrepreneur
Moderator: Maria Paula Rodriguez Quijano — Designer and Artist
19:00 – 19:40 | Innovation in the Art Market: Middle East & Asia
Speaker: Marwa Al-Khalifa — Artist and President of the Bahrain Fine Art Society
Speaker: Suzy Sikorski — Business Development Director in Bonhams Middle East and Founder of Mid East Art
Speaker: Dr. Mimi Nguyen — Lecturer in Digital Innovation (Central Saint Martins) and Founder of Nguyen Wahed Gallery
Chair: Dr. Ghadah W. Alharthi —Senior Lecturer in Culture & Innovation (Central Saint Martins) and Cultural Adviser
19:40 – 20:00 | Closing Reception
Continuing the conversation over networking and refreshments.