• Who we Are

    Who we Are

    Founded in 2009 by cultural pioneers Mohammed Hafiz and Hamza Serafi, ATHR has been at the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s contemporary art scene—pushing boundaries, shaping narratives, and fostering a thriving creative community. Rooted in innovation, ATHR continues to evolve, reflecting the pulse of the ever-changing local and global art landscape.

     

    Our artists are the soul of ATHR—visionaries working across disciplines, from traditional painting and sculpture to experimental and unconventional media. Their stories range from deeply personal reflections to bold cultural statements, mirroring the dynamic spirit of the region.

     

    Driven by a vision for growth, ATHR has expanded beyond its flagship Jeddah space to two new locations—ATHR AlUla, the first contemporary art gallery in the historic city, and ATHR JAX, a vibrant addition to Riyadh’s burgeoning art scene. While our Jeddah headquarters remain the heart of our operations, each space reaffirms our commitment to pushing the boundaries of contemporary art in Saudi Arabia and the global art scene.

     

  • Our Founders

    Mohammed Hafiz

    Mohammed Hafiz

    Mohammed Hafiz (b. 1975, Jeddah) is a keen advocate of Saudi art and has led pioneering initiatives that have radically transformed the context and perception of Saudi Contemporary art both in the Kingdom and abroad. As an art patron, he supported Edge of Arabia’s travelling exhibitions from 2008-2014 and went on to curate the initiative’s first large-scale exhibition in Jeddah in 2012. Along with Hamza Serafi, he co-founded Athr in Jeddah in 2009 and the gallery has since been recognised as one of the most progressive art spaces in the Kingdom and wider region, extending beyond the commercial realm by taking on educational roles to cultivate a greater appreciation for the arts. 

     

    In 2014, Hafiz became one of the founding members and Vice Chairman of the Saudi Art Council, a civil society initiative that supported art and culture in Saudi Arabia and which staged 21,39 Jeddah Arts, a non-profit initiative that ran from 2014-2022 and annually presented seminal exhibitions focused on Saudi Modern and Contemporary Art.

     

    Hafiz was CEO of the Al Sawani Group, one of the region’s largest fashion retail groups from 2005-2020. He serves as a Board Member to the Madina Art Center (since 2020), the Misk Art Institute (since 2022) and Dar Al Fikr Schools (since 2004). 

     

    In 2022, he established the Athr Foundation with Hamza Serafi and serves as Director and Trustee of the Foundation.

  • Hamza Serafi

    Hamza Serafi

    Serafi (b. 1960, Jeddah) has been one of the driving forcesbehind the art movement in Saudi Arabia since the 1980s.

    Hamza Serafi is an avid patron of the arts, culture, and creative industries. In the early 90s, he co-founded the gallery Art Vision, which presented modern art. In 2009, Hamza co-founded ATHR Art Gallery with his business partner Mohamed Hafiz. This platform has been instrumental in promoting artistic experimentation, nurturing emerging talents, and becoming the leading gallery in the region. It played a pivotal role in nourishing the contemporary art movement in Saudi Arabia.

     

    In 2013, Hamza became a founding member of the Saudi Art Council and served as the head of the territorial committee to further develop the contemporary art movement through the 21,39 initiative, a role he held until 2022.

     

    Since 1990, Hamza established Sama Office as a creative grassroots hub for the kingdom, which worked with and promoted local artists. Sama Office was the first entity to introduce Saudi-based artists to local and private financial centers, opening doors for them to begin their owncollections of Saudi-originated artworks.This office, located in the Al-Balad area of Jeddah, was once an art oasis where artists could invent, curate, produce, and innovate. Despite the challenging social ecosystem of that time, Hamza persevered in his supportfor the artist community, ensuring they had an outlet to practice what was then considered an unconventional career path. He recognized that art cannot be stifled; it transforms and finds ways to exist. Sama Office evolved into Sama Design Co. to produce and promote product design for Saudi and local artists. Hamza continues tosupport artists and the art movement in this newprosperous era of culture in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

  • What we do

    ATHR Gallery is a driving force in shaping Saudi Arabia’s contemporary art scene. With a mission to build a thriving artistic ecosystem, ATHR connects artists, collectors, and art enthusiasts—transforming art from an obscure pursuit into a sustainable career at the heart of Saudi culture.

     

    Representing a carefully curated roster of Saudi and international artists, ATHR has been instrumental in providing the tools, opportunities, and networks needed for artists to thrive. Through strategic mentorship, groundbreaking exhibitions, and global collaborations, ATHR has propelled its artists onto prestigious platforms such as The Smithsonian, The British Museum, the Saudi Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Louvre. Locally, our exhibitions across Jeddah, AlUla, and Riyadh continue to provide a dynamic space for both established and emerging talents to engage with audiences from around the world.

     

    At ATHR, we believe art has no boundaries in form, message, or medium. Our diverse exhibitions and integration of new technologies inspire the next generation of artists and foster an environment where the next artistic innovation can take root. ATHR serves as a cultural hub, offering an open invitation for creative exploration and inspiration.

     

    ATHR remains dedicated to placing artworks into the hands of those who value them most. As one of the largest collector networks in Saudi Arabia, we cultivate a culture of mindful acquisition through workshops and bespoke networking events. Whether seasoned or new to the art world, collectors enjoy access to exclusive entry-level works by established artists, along with personalized services that make art collecting a truly enriching experience.

    At its core, ATHR is more than a gallery—it’s a movement dedicated to shaping the future of art in Saudi Arabia and beyond.