Client: Accor
Industry: Hospitality
Year: 2026
Location: Riyadh, KSA

Services: Art Consultancy and Art Supply

Featured Artists: Abdullah Al Hussain, Ahmed Al Sulaimani, Ancestral Handcrafted, Art Attaichi, Dalal Al Hassan, Dawn Wolfe, Deema Albogami, Ebtehal Alrajhi, Eman Al Jishi, Ismail Abdul Rahman, Matthias De Vogal, Mawadah Muhtasib, Noha Mukhtar, Sabatina Lecha, Zaman Jassim

Total no. of Artworks Delivered: 71
Total no. of Artists Engaged: 58

Rising from the sculptural skyline of King Abdullah Financial District, Kimpton Riyadh marks a new chapter of contemporary luxury in Saudi Arabia. As IHG’s first Kimpton property in the Middle East, the hotel introduces a design-led vision aligned with a district defined by bold architecture and forward-looking ambition. Rooted in Riyadh’s identity as an oasis, a place shaped by geology, growth, and cultural memory the curatorial approach reflects the city’s evolving character through material honesty and contemporary expression, translating the region’s natural formations and heritage into composed, modern gestures.

The journey begins in the lobby, where impactful artworks establish a bold avant-garde identity for the hotel. Saudi artist Dalal Abdul Rahman Al Hassan combines references to the Agal and Layla palm mat with fan-like forms incorporating khous weaving and reinterpreting their form through the silhouette of Dior’s iconic fan dress. The work merges Saudi cultural references with contemporary fashion influences, creating a statement piece that feels both rooted in heritage and distinctly modern.

Directly opposite, a three-dimensional artwork designed by Capsule Arts Studio, translates the process of pattern cutting, pleating, and drapery into an expressive architectural form. Developed using digital carving techniques and 3D printing, the composition unfolds through interwoven surfaces where layered contours create depth, rhythm, and moments of negative space. These voids are as intentional as the solid forms, allowing light and shadow to animate the sculpture and reinforce its dynamic presence.

Dutch artist Matthias De Vogal’s trademark art practice distils the tradition of Sadu weaving into sculptural compositions. The monochrome palette and disciplined geometry transform weaving references into contemporary studies of rhythm, proportion, and balance. Juxtaposed with this artwork is a painting by Saudi artist Eman Al Jishi whose expressive exploration of form and script, rendered in the same monochromatic palette, creates a dialogue of spiritual depth and aesthetic refinement.

As guests move towards the ascending staircase, a large-scale textile installation anchors the space and introduces a sense of drama. Engraved metal panels featuring Najdi-inspired patterns are paired with ornamental tassels to create a work that feels both ceremonial and architectural.

Adjacent to the Tea Lounge, Capsule Arts Studio sculptures interpret the flowing folds of contemporary Saudi fashion through elongated, fluid forms. Across the dining spaces, works by Capsule Arts Studio and American artist Dawn Wolfe explore movement, tactility, and materiality. Paintings by Saudi artist Deema Albogani draw from Saudi Arabia’s natural landscapes, incorporating Red Sea water and rainwater into her process. Above the lobby, Noha Muktar reinterprets the traditional Mangour wood-turning technique, while Ahmed Al Sulaimani transforms calligraphy into sculptural folds. The Executive Lounge continues the narrative through contemporary calligraphy by Eman Al Jishi, Ismail Abdul Rahman, and Sabatina Leccia, exploring movement, texture, and dimension.

A defining strength of the Sofitel Riyadh collection lies in its balance between innovation and craftsmanship. Digital carving, laser-cutting, precision fabrication, and 3D printing technologies sit alongside traditional practices such as weaving, calligraphy, textile work, and wood-turning.

Together, these processes transform heritage into something progressive, tactile, and culturally resonant while maintaining a strong sense of authenticity.