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, Sabatina Leccia, Zaman Jassim

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

At Sofitel Riyadh, the art collection explores a dialogue between Saudi Arabia’s evolving creative identity and the refinement of French design. Conceived and curated by Capsule Arts, the collection brings together Saudi and international artists whose diverse practices reinterpret cultural references through contemporary forms, materials, and techniques. Responding to the hotel’s architecture and interiors, the works create a cohesive artistic language across its spaces, reimagining traditional references through sculpture, calligraphy, painting, textiles, and material-led practices while reflecting Riyadh’s growing position as a global cultural destination.

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.

The journey continues into the prefunction area, where artworks extend the collection’s dialogue between Saudi heritage, contemporary design, and material experimentation. Sculptural works by Capsule Arts Studio explore the flowing folds and silhouettes of contemporary Saudi fashion, translating fabric, movement, and drapery into elongated, fluid forms. The works bring a sense of movement to the space while creating a visual connection between the hotel’s architectural language and its fashion-inspired interiors.

Adjacent to the Tea Lounge, the collection continues through works that emphasise materiality, texture, and movement. Across the dining spaces, works by Capsule Arts Studio and American artist Dawn Wolfe explore the tactile qualities of different materials, while paintings by Saudi artist Deema Albogani draw from the country’s natural landscapes, incorporating Red Sea water and rainwater into her artistic process.

Ahmed Al Sulaimani transforms calligraphy into sculptural folds, giving written language a sense of movement and dimension. The Executive Lounge continues the narrative through contemporary calligraphy by Eman Al Jishi, Ismail Abdul Rahman, and Sabatina Leccia. Their works explore movement, texture, and dimension, extending the collection’s broader investigation into how traditional forms can be reinterpreted through contemporary artistic practices.

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.